Brad Biggs: Shades of ‘Greatest Show on Turf’? Mike Martz’s influence on Ben Johnson’s Bears offense.
CHICAGO — Asked for his initial reaction, a front-office official for another team didn’t hesitate after watching the Chicago Bears offense in the season opener. “That was some ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ (stuff) right there,” he responded. It was an off-the-cuff comparison for Ben Johnson’s offense — which scored the second-most Week 1 points in NFL history in a 59-37 victory over the Carolina ...
After a week one performance that drew comparisons to the "Greatest Show on Turf," Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson expressed admiration for his mentor Mike Martz. The two met recently via Zoom where Johnson was deeply impressed by Martz's relentless approach and desire to challenge his players. While Martz is best known for his St. Louis Rams "Greatest Show on Turf" scheme in the 1999s, Johnson emphasized that his current offense operates differently.
However, the influence of Martz's philosophy is still evident in Johnson's focus on a physical running game and exploiting mismatches through spacing and numbers. When asked to compare his offense to the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf," Martz gladly accepted, emphasizing that Johnson's talent and discipline make him a standout coach in the league.
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