Vikes Views: Nincompoop of the Week – Vikings at Bears

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings secured a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Despite the low-scoring game, there were no glaring mistakes that stood out, but someone needed to be blamed. Here are my nominees for the Vikings' Nincompoop of the Week.

First up, Ben Johnson. Throughout the offseason, Johnson was touted as an offensive genius, but his performance against the Vikings' pass rush on Sunday proved to be quite weak. In the last play of the second quarter, the Bears attempted to block Dallas Turner with a Tight End, but Turner easily pushed him back into the backfield for the sack. While some play calls were questionable, if Williams wasn't as elusive, the result could have been far worse for the Bears.

Next, Garrett Bradbury. The linebacker was called for two holds and two false starts on Sunday. Although one of the penalties was offset due to Levi Drake Rodriguez holding Caleb Williams' feet, the officials couldn't get them all right. Bradbury's poor play single-handedly ended a promising drive after the Vikings took the lead 6-3 in the second quarter. While it's possible to nominate the entire Offensive Line, Bradbury stood out from the rest.

D’Andre Swift also faced significant criticism. After a lengthy 11-play drive, Swift was at the 1-yard line when he allowed the ball to be knocked out by Jalen Redmond. This mistake, given the premium on points, could have been a game-winner for the Bears. Swift's ball security at the goal line is crucial, and his failure to secure the ball likely cost the team those points.

Caleb Williams, the Bears' quarterback, had a decent stat line, but his interception to Byron Murphy was the deciding factor in the game. The interception marked the difference-maker in a game where every possession counted. Williams struggled throughout the afternoon, frequently becoming uncomfortable in the pocket. His performance highlighted the importance of ball security at the goal line, a lesson the Bears likely won't forget.

Theo Jackson had a rough day, as did many others. Given the larger role he was given, Jackson's missed tackles and blown assignments were disappointing. He's the weakest link in a strong defensive chain, and his performance was a cause for concern.

Honorable mentions go to the offensive coordinator, who appears to be struggling with the offensive setup, and the Bears' offensive line. The entire line looked confused throughout the game, but offensive linemen typically face such challenges against the Vikings. Carson Wentz also didn't make any major mistakes, nor did he get lucky when his throw was dropped. The poor offensive production suggests that Wentz might be headed back to the bench soon.