Bears coach Ben Johnson says he misheard CBS reporter's question and 'didn't take that very well'

Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune on Sep 29, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson took the blame Monday for a tense exchange with CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala during halftime of Sunday’s 25-24 win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Bears had been held to 90 yards of offense in the first half, and Kinkhabwala asked, “Do you think you need to change what you’re doing?”

The “do you” part of her question was barely audible, and Johnson appeared to interpret it as a pointed criticism: “You need to change what you’re doing.”

Johnson shot back: “I don’t know, you think so? We’re going to be just fine.”

Then he walked off.

Johnson said Monday he was in “game mode” and didn’t think much of the conversation at the time. Both he and Kinkhabwala were subjected to criticism on social media as sides debated what exactly was said.

Johnson cleared up his interpretation of what happened: He misheard Kinkhabwala.

“When I look back at it, I am a little bit disappointed with what that looks like,” he said Monday. “I didn’t hear very well — and that’s not an excuse — but when I thought I heard that was not a question, but that I needed to make some changes, I didn’t take that very well.

“I’ll do a better job with those going forward.”

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