NFL Head Coach Was Not Happy With Sideline Reporter On Sunday
No one seems to enjoy doing those halftime interviews between NFL head coaches and sideline reporters, but the TV networks paying billions of dollars for the rights to the games want them, so they are going to continue to happen.
For the most part, these interviews are nothing burgers. The coaches typically don’t say anything of note, unless there’s an injury update or something. The sideline reporters can sometimes get good information for a future in-game segment, but that’s about it. For the most part, the broadcasts could lose them entirely and everyone would be fine.
Advertisement
However, every once in a while, we get a good viral in-game sideline reporter interview. We had one during the Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders game on Sunday.
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images© Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
At halftime of the Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders game, Johnson was interviewed by CBS Sports sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala.
The Bears were trailing the Raiders, 14-9, at halftime. Chicago had just two rushing yards and 100 yards of total offense. Kinkhabwala asked Johnson some standard questions, but her final one to the Bears coach appeared to upset him.
Advertisement
“Do you need to change what you’re doing?” Kinkhabwala asked.
“I don’t know, you think so?” he answered.
Kinkhabwala then laughed a bit before Johnson added, “We’re gonna be just fine.”
The NFL community is weighing in on the interview
Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden appeared to be on Johnson’s side, suggesting that the CBS Sports sideline reporter was out of line.
“For Ben Johnson not to take that microphone and slam it on the ground, it’s a real credit to him,” he said.
Advertisement
Others, meanwhile, are criticizing Johnson.
“Every interview I’ve seen from him has similar energy. Just disrespectful and acts like he is better than you. It’s gross honestly…” one fan wrote.
“That Ben Johnson interview didn’t sit right with me,” one fan added.
“People are overreacting to Ben Johnson’s handling of this interview. It was a heat of the moment situation and he’s still getting used to doing these for the first time,” one fan added.
Advertisement
What did you make of the halftime interview between the Chicago Bears head coach and the CBS Sports sideline reporter?
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source link
