The Chicago Bears are making a bold move to fill their vacant head coach position by hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Sources privy to the development, including Priority Sports, the agency representing Johnson, confirmed that the deal is nearly finalized.
A rising star in coaching: Ben Johnson
At just 38 years old, Johnson has quickly become one of the most sought-after coaching talents in the National Football League (NFL). Over the past two offseasons, he turned down multiple head coaching opportunities, preferring to remain with the Lions.
This year, however, he interviewed with several teams, including the Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots, before they finalized a deal with Mike Vrabel.
The timing of Johnson’s departure from the Lions came after their loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs, allowing him the freedom to join any team seeking a new head coach.
Ben Johnson’s proven track record with the Lions
Ben Johnson is widely praised for his innovative play-calling and his ability to design high-powered offences. Under his leadership, the Lions finished the 2024 season as the top-scoring offence in the league, averaging 33.2 points per game.
Over the past three years, Johnson’s offence has consistently ranked among the top five in both yards and points, demonstrating his ability to build successful and dynamic offences.
In contrast, the Bears have struggled offensively, ranking in the top five for scoring and yardage just once since 2007. The lone exception was in 2013 when they finished second in scoring. Now, Johnson will be tasked with turning around a Bears offence that has underperformed in recent years.
A fresh start with Caleb Williams
The Bears’ biggest challenge will be helping former USC quarterback Caleb Williams regain his confidence after a difficult rookie season. With the team firing head coach Matt Eberflus midway through a 5-12 campaign, Johnson’s expertise in the offence will be crucial in developing the young quarterback and setting a new direction for the team.
Reports hint that Johnson has already started assembling his coaching staff. He is expected to bring in former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Johnson, who has learned valuable lessons from his previous interviews, expressed confidence in his ability to lead a team. “This go-around, I’ve been a lot more prepared for the types of questions that they’ve been asking,” he said. “I’ve also changed my frame of mind a little bit… I’ve been able to have offseasons and summers to think about, big-picture view, what a program would look like where I’m running it.”
Bears’ extensive search process
The Bears conducted an extensive search, interviewing 17 candidates, but only satisfied the Rooney Rule requirement on Sunday when they met with Eddie George, head coach of Tennessee State. This step ensured compliance with NFL regulations regarding minority candidates for head coaching roles.
Ben Johnson’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Chicago Bears as they aim to revitalize their offence and bring fresh leadership to a team in need of a turnaround. As Johnson embarks on his new journey in Chicago, both the team and its fans are eager to see how his creative offensive strategies will shape the future of the franchise.
