Chicago Bears in Trouble as NFL Personal Conduct Policy Applies: Ben Johnson Extended Amid Bribery Case.
The Chicago Bears are embroiled in controversy as reports confirm a bribery case connected to the organization, just days after the team announced a contract extension for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The situation has prompted the NFL to invoke its Personal Conduct Policy, raising serious questions about the Bears’ internal oversight and timing of personnel decisions.
According to league sources, the confirmed bribery case involves a high-ranking Bears official allegedly offering illicit incentives to influence vendor contracts related to team facilities. While Johnson himself is not named in the investigation, the proximity of his contract extension to the emerging scandal has sparked backlash from fans and media alike.
The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy allows the league to take swift disciplinary action when integrity and public trust are at stake, even if individuals have not been criminally charged. This has opened the door to potential league sanctions, internal audits, or suspensions for those found to have violated ethical standards.
The Bears issued a brief statement acknowledging the investigation and affirming their cooperation with NFL and federal authorities. “We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and are fully cooperating with the ongoing inquiry,” the statement read.
Ben Johnson, a highly regarded offensive mind who was expected to play a key role in developing the Bears’ young talent, now finds himself at the center of a firestorm—despite no direct link to the scandal. Critics argue that the organization should have paused any major staff decisions until the investigation concluded.
With the 2025 NFL season approaching, the scandal threatens to derail the Bears’ progress both on and off the field. As the league delves deeper, the consequences could extend far beyond Halas Hall, potentially reshaping how teams handle misconduct moving forward.
