“It’s All In Front Of Him” – Cubs Manager Craig Counsell Shares High Praise for Bears’ Coach in Rare Insightful Exchange

Much like the hero’s welcome he received at the Bears’ facility after taking over as head coach, Johnson was warmly welcomed on the diamond. The surprise came when Johnson, accompanied by his wife and three children, visited Counsell’s office before throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Even though the two spent only a few minutes talking, it’s safe to say Johnson left an impression. And why not? After all, there’s a reason why the Windy City has sky-high expectations for Johnson as the 2025 NFL season approaches.

While addressing the media post-game, Counsell seemed more eager to talk about Johnson than his team’s impressive 6-2 feat, which improved them to a 14-9 record. Counsell said, “It’s all in front of him. That’s what’s kind of cool. And so that’s what you kind of think when meeting him. You’re thinking, you’ve got a great future in front of you, and you’ve got a lot in front of you, and you’ve got challenges in front of you, but you’ve got a lot of fun in front of you.” 

It was certainly an example of camaraderie between the two men, who are both leaders of their respective teams.

“He’s already fell in love with the city of Chicago.”

Craig Counsell on his interaction with Bears head coach Ben Johnson pic.twitter.com/nV8MbHnANq

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 19, 2025

The Bears didn’t waste any time securing Johnson once the Detroit Lions suffered the disappointing elimination from Super Bowl contention earlier in January. Their main focus was to bring in a head coach who could aid in the development of Caleb Williams, and given the way the Lions’ offense dominated the league under Johnson in 2024, they knew they wouldn’t find anyone better. His vision and way of thinking will likely pave the way for the players to perform up to expectations. That’s why, even though the season hasn’t even begun yet, the fans are already confident in Johnson. 

All the fans wanted was a glimpse of Johnson, and he didn’t disappoint them. As a symbol of respect, he was given the chance to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the day at the Cubs game. After throwing the pitch, fans cheered loudly, displaying their love for him. Cubs Manager Counsell also praised Johnson for the pitch, saying, “I thought it was pretty good. I hope he told Brad Keller that was coming because that was some gas,” adding a bit of humor while praising the new coach.

Though Johnson certainly took the spotlight, Counsell didn’t forget the stellar victory achieved by his team that ranked them top in the NL Central.

Craig Counsell gives a strong statement after their emphatic win

From the very start, the Cubs took control of the game, and the victory was foreseeable. But, guess what, the Diamondbacks gave a tough fight. At one point in the game, the Diamondbacks had scored ten runs and were ahead by four. But the Cubs were able to get everything in its proper place, so nothing happened. Their pitcher, Ryan Pressly, delivered the final blow, and that was it! They secured a 13-11 victory, and everyone was on their feet, cheering for the home team.

When asked about his team’s feat, Counsell said, “It was crazy. I mean, we gave up 10 runs in an inning and won. It was a wild game, but we kept going. There are 27 outs in a game, and this kind of proves it.” Indeed, it was a wild game. The way the Cubs pulled off the victory was truly amazing.

The fact that the Cubs managed to secure all 27 outs despite allowing 10 runs in one inning was remarkable. In addition to driving in five runs, Carson Kelly of the Chicago Cubs hit two home runs. He had good backing from other players like Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Tucker, and Ian Happ, who combined for seven RBIs. The manager looked happy with the result, as he should be. However, he would like to maintain this momentum, as both teams will face each other again soon. 

What are your thoughts on the game, and how much do you want to rate Craig Counsell as a manager of the Cubs? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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