Antwaan Randle El Sparks 24-0 Run in Bears' 34-10 Victory Over Browns

Assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El took over play-calling duties to lead the Chicago Bears to 24 unanswered points in a 34-10 preseason win.

The Chicago Bears defeated the Cleveland Browns 34-10 on Saturday at Soldier Field, fueled by a dominant second-half performance. Assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El assumed play-calling duties for the final two quarters, orchestrating a stretch of 24 unanswered points. Under his direction, the Bears offense generated 235 total yards and moved the chains for 12 first downs to secure the preseason opening victory.

Head coach Ben Johnson handed the headset to Randle El following the halftime break, a move that saw the offense transition through multiple quarterback units. Case Keenum took the initial snaps under Randle El’s play-calling before Miller Moss entered the game. The offensive strategy was refined during a quarterback meeting on Friday night, where Randle El reviewed the call sheet and identified specific favorite plays for the passers on the roster.

Impact on Quarterback Performance

Case Keenum praised the leadership of the former nine-year NFL wide receiver, noting that Randle El’s experience with Pittsburgh and Washington allows him to avoid "coach speak" when communicating with players. Keenum highlighted the coach's ability to stay within the "wheelhouse" of each quarterback, a sentiment echoed by Ben Johnson. The head coach described the outing as a phenomenal experience that allowed the team to rally around a new voice on the sidelines.

Tyson Bagent also commented on the efficiency of the second-half execution, stating that Randle El’s preparation and knowledge of the playbook made the 24-0 run unsurprising to those on the sideline. The offensive units were consistently placed in scoring positions, allowing Chicago to pull away from Cleveland after the intermission. Randle El has been a member of Johnson’s staff since the two worked together in Detroit.

Coaching Development Strategy

This game marked the second consecutive preseason in which Ben Johnson delegated play-calling responsibilities to an assistant. In 2025, Johnson provided a similar opportunity to Declan Doyle, who served as the Bears' offensive coordinator during Johnson’s first season in Chicago. Although Doyle did not call plays during the 2025 regular season, he utilized the preseason experience to transition into his current role as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, where he will call plays this year.

Johnson indicated that he may continue this experiment throughout the current preseason by allowing other members of the coaching staff to lead the offense in upcoming games. The head coach expressed a belief that Randle El possesses the necessary qualities to become both an offensive coordinator and a head coach in the NFL, citing his demeanor and relatability to the roster.

Statistical Dominance at Soldier Field

The 24-point surge in the second half turned a competitive preseason opener into a blowout. The Bears' ability to sustain drives resulted in 12 first downs during Randle El's tenure as play-caller, nearly doubling the offensive output from the first half. Johnson emphasized that providing these opportunities helps assistants gain recognition around the league that they might not otherwise receive in their standard roles. The victory moves the Bears to 1-0 in the preseason as they continue to evaluate their offensive depth under different leadership structures.