Randle El's Playcalling Sparks Bears' 24-0 Second-Half Surge
Source: ABC 7 Chicago Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
CHICAGO -- When the Bears jogged into the locker room at halftime on Saturday, the scoreboard read 10-10. But the second half belonged to a playcaller few expected to hold the headset. Wide receivers coach and assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El took over offensive playcalling duties from head coach Ben Johnson for the final two quarters of Chicago's preseason opener. The result was a 24-0 explosion that carried the Bears to a 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Over that stretch, the offense generated 12 first downs and 235 total yards, turning a tight contest into a rout.
Randle El, a nine-year NFL veteran receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders, has been coaching alongside Johnson since their time together in Detroit. Johnson gave him the keys to the offense for the second half, a move that paid immediate dividends. The veteran coach spent the night before the game in quarterback meetings, studying the call sheet and tailoring the plan to the strengths of both Case Keenum and Miller Moss. The result was seamless execution.
"I thought he did a phenomenal job," Johnson said. "With Case taking the reins, and then the transition to Miller, he stayed in their wheelhouse. He was part of the quarterback meeting last night, and we talked about what was on the call sheet and their favorites. It was a phenomenal experience for him, and our guys rallied around it."
Keenum, who has been in the NFL for a decade, offered high praise for Randle El's leadership. "I know he's going to be a head coach," Keenum said. "His demeanor in front of the team, his leadership qualities are top-notch. Some of the best I've been around. His relatability to players? He's been there, done that with just about everything. There's no 'coach speak' to him. It's all real."
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent echoed the sentiment. "Has anybody ever had a better first outing than Antwaan Randle El? That's just who he is. He's always prepared. He knows the ins and outs of the playbook. So it was not surprising, at least for us on the sideline."
This is the second consecutive preseason in which Johnson has handed playcalling responsibilities to an assistant. In 2025, he allowed his then-offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to call the offense during exhibition games. Doyle, who did not call plays during the regular season, parlayed that experience into the offensive coordinator job with the Baltimore Ravens, where he will design and call his own offense this season. Johnson sees a similar trajectory for Randle El.
"Here's the thing about El," Johnson said. "I think he's got a chance to be an offensive coordinator in this league. I think he's got a chance to be a head coach in this league. I think he would do a phenomenal job in both those respects. He doesn't get that type of credit around the league right now, so this is a good opportunity for him to get some recognition."
Johnson hinted that Randle El might not be the last assistant to get a shot at calling plays this preseason. The Bears could rotate the responsibility among other position coaches as they continue to develop their staff. For Randle El, the second-half performance in Chicago was more than a preseason highlight—it was a job interview on a national stage.
With the Bears' offense clicking behind an unexpected playcaller, the team's coaching depth has become a talking point. Randle El's ability to adjust on the fly, communicate with quarterbacks, and keep the rhythm alive suggests a future far beyond the wide receivers room. Whether that future is in Chicago or elsewhere, Johnson has made it clear that his assistant is ready for the next step.
Article commentary
Ben Johnson's decision to hand over playcalling to Antwaan Randle El in the preseason opener is a masterclass in coaching development. It reflects a deliberate strategy to cultivate assistant talent while also keeping the team's preseason preparation fresh. Johnson has now done this two years in a row, first with Declan Doyle and now with Randle El. The pattern is clear: he uses exhibition games as a laboratory for his staff, giving them real-time responsibilities that mimic the pressures of a regular-season game. Doyle's subsequent promotion to Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator validates the approach. For Randle El, a former NFL receiver with a decade of playing experience, the opportunity is particularly valuable. His transition from player to coach has been gradual, but his ability to command the huddle and design a game plan that produced 24 unanswered points shows he is ready for a larger role. Beyond the individual narrative, this move also speaks to the Bears' organizational philosophy. By allowing assistants to call plays, Johnson builds a pipeline of future coordinators and head coaches. That not only strengthens the team's internal bench but also enhances its reputation as a place where coaches can grow. For a franchise that has long struggled with stability, this kind of forward-thinking culture is a welcome shift. Randle El's performance was not just about X's and O's; it was about leadership, adaptability, and the ability to earn trust from players. Both Keenum and Bagent spoke to his authenticity and preparation, qualities that are often undervalued in coaching hires. However, caution is warranted. Preseason success does not always translate to regular-season results. The Browns were playing a vanilla defense and resting key starters. Randle El's playcalling was effective, but the sample size is small. The real test will come if he is asked to call plays in a game that counts. Still, the buzz around his performance is genuine. The league is always searching for the next offensive innovator, and Randle El's combination of playing experience, communication skills, and tactical acumen makes him a compelling candidate. Johnson's willingness to share the spotlight is rare in a sport where head coaches often guard their playcalling authority jealously. By doing so, he not only develops his staff but also signals to the locker room that the Bears are a collaborative, merit-based organization. For Randle El, the path forward is bright. He has already been mentioned as a potential head coach in the future. The question is whether he will get that chance in Chicago or elsewhere. With the Bears' offense still in flux and Johnson's system still evolving, Randle El's role could expand beyond the preseason. For now, the second half against the Browns was a compelling audition. The league took notice, and Johnson's faith in his assistant paid off. Whether this leads to a promotion or simply a stronger reputation, Randle El has proven he belongs in the conversation of rising coaching stars.