LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Ben Johnson doesn’t worry about revealing information that could be used against the Chicago Bears during production meetings with Tom Brady and the Fox broadcast team, prior to Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Brady’s dual role as an analyst for Fox’s “America’s Game of the Week” and a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Brady will be on the broadcast from Soldier Field on Sunday, a week before the Raiders host the Bears at Allegiant Stadium in Week 4.
Johnson downplayed concerns about a competitive disadvantage for the Bears that could arise from his conversations with Brady before the game. “As for the personnel, it’s really the same. It’s not like I’m going to sit down with him and say, ‘Hey, don’t do this to Caleb Williams or you might get it!’ There won’t be any trade secrets being exchanged. But I really don’t think it’s a big deal, to be honest,” Johnson added. Brady was seen sitting in the coaches’ booth with headphones during the first quarter of the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. The NFL said in a statement on Tuesday that Brady is prohibited from going to a team’s facilities for practices or production meetings. But the former star quarterback can sit in the coaches’ booth, according to the league.I’m not really concerned about that. We change from week to week in terms of what we do. Schematically, he’ll be able to watch the tape and see what everyone else in the world is seeing right now.
Ben Johnson
Johnson has participated in production meetings during the preseason and with the ESPN and Fox teams in each of the last two weeks. The Bears’ first-year coach said he is conditioned not to provide any insider information and will continue with that approach in the games as he normally would.There are no policies prohibiting an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game. Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner.
Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman
I’ve been careful with everything I’ve said since the season started. I’ve been in pure coach jargon mode since this season started. So for me, it’s like always. I’m fine. I like Tom and we have a very good relationship.
Ben Johnson
