Bears Target NFL Scoring Record
Chicago Bears Coach Ben Johnson Sets Audacious Goal: Highest-Scoring NFL Offense for 2026
Key Points
In 2024, Johnson coached the Detroit Lions to one of his strongest outputs as an offensive coordinator, averaging 33.2 points per game.
The 2025 Bears finished 10th in points per offensive snap and 14th in red-zone touchdowns, underscoring the challenge Johnson faces in hitting a historic scoring pace.
Rome Odunze and the injured Luther Burden are highlighted as potential fantasy-impact players for 2026, alongside other receivers and backs such as D’Andre Swift and Colston Loveland.
A Bleacher Nation piece recounts Johnson’s reference to the New England Patriots’ 21-game winning streak and even the idea of an undefeated season as benchmarks for the Bears.
The all-time high-scoring offense reference centers on the 2013 Denver Broncos, who averaged 37.9 points per game under Peyton Manning.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has set a stunning goal for the 2026 NFL season: field the highest-scoring offense in league history. That means topping the 2013 Denver Broncos, who averaged 37.9 points per game under Peyton Manning — a record that has stood for over a decade. TSN reported Johnson made the declaration in a wide-ranging profile with The Athletic.
The Bears are coming off a strong 2025 campaign, winning the NFC North division title — their first since 2018 — and advancing to the NFC Divisional Round, their deepest playoff run since 2010. Johnson's offense averaged 25.9 points per game in his first year. Now he wants to nearly double that pace of improvement, Newsweek reported.
Johnson Sets the Bar at an All-Time NFL Record
Johnson told players the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal — but he wants them to think even bigger. He referenced the New England Patriots' 21-game winning streak and even the idea of an undefeated season as targets worth chasing, according to ABC7 Chicago. The message: aim at historic benchmarks, not just championships.
To break the all-time scoring record, the Bears would need to average more than 37.9 points per game. That is a massive leap from their 2025 average of 25.9. Johnson said he plans to run a more pass-heavy attack in 2026, shifting away from the balanced approach he used in his first season, Sportsnaut reported.
Johnson's Track Record Gives the Goal Some Credibility
This is not just talk. In 2024, Johnson served as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and averaged 33.2 points per game — one of the best outputs in the NFL that year. That number already surpasses most of the great offenses in league history. It shows he knows how to build elite scoring attacks.
Still, the Bears have ground to make up. In 2025, they ranked 10th in points per offensive snap and 14th in red-zone touchdowns, according to Head Topics. Red-zone efficiency — scoring inside the opponent's 20-yard line — is one of the biggest drivers of points per game. Improving there is key to any record chase.
Caleb Williams and a Deep Roster Fuel the Optimism
The Bears return quarterback Caleb Williams, who took a major step forward in 2025. Johnson also has receivers Rome Odunze and the injured Luther Burden in the mix, along with running back D'Andre Swift and tight end Colston Loveland. That is a deep group of weapons for a pass-first offense, ABC7 Chicago noted.
Odunze and Burden are already drawing attention as top fantasy football targets for 2026, a sign that analysts believe the Bears' passing game could take off. Swift adds balance in the run game. If Johnson can keep this group healthy and push the ball downfield more often, the offense could look very different by fall.
Historic Ambition Meets a Very Hard Reality
No offense has matched the 2013 Broncos' 37.9 points per game since Manning retired. The Rams' high-powered 2018 unit and the Cowboys' best seasons both fell short of that mark, Sportsnaut reported. Reaching it would require near-perfect execution across a full 17-game regular season.
Johnson seems to understand the odds. But his point is less about guaranteeing a record and more about creating a culture of ambition. "The moon is the Super Bowl," he said, but he wants his players shooting past it. Whether the Bears can make that vision real starts when the 2026 season kicks off.
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