Stop the process! The Chicago Bears have ended their head coach search, hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the 19th person to manage the franchise’s main chair, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and others on January 20.
Johnson, 38, turned down interest from several other teams to join the Bears.
Breaking: Bears Hire Lions OC Ben Johnson as Franchise’s 19th HC
Bears Beat Out Tom Brady, Raiders & Others for Ben Johnson
“Johnson is set to fly there soon and contract parameters are in place. Barring a last-minute snag, the #Lions OC lands with an NFC North rival,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero posted on X.
“Tom Brady and the #Raiders made a push for Ben Johnson, and the #Jaguars also interviewed him. But Chicago was always the most likely landing spot. Negotiations heated up quickly this morning and now the #Bears have landed a talented mentor for No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.”
Williams commended Johnson’s play-calling and designing prowess during the season.
“I think he’s been really cool to watch … I think he’s obviously done really well so it’d be cool to see how all that goes down.”
Caleb Williams on Ben Johnson 👀 pic.twitter.com/jO4cOsZjrS
— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) January 6, 2025
We also have an idea of what Johnson’s staff could look like.
“Ben Johnson has already been lining up staff,” Pelissero reported in a separate post. “Former #Saints head coach Dennis Allen is a prime candidate to be Johnson’s defensive coordinator in Chicago.”
Allen, who also has six years of experience as an NFL head coach will all but certainly have full reign of the Bears’ defense that regressed in 2024.
He had led four straight top-10 scoring units before this past season in New Orleans. Allen could bring his former special teams coordinator, Darren Rizzi, to Chicago with him.
Bears also are heavily pursuing former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their special teams coach, per sources. He has interest from over a half-dozen teams but if Rizzi doesn’t land a head coaching job, Chicago is his potential landing spot. https://t.co/ErIQmZ3te9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
The man of the hour, though, is Johnson. He has constructed top-five scoring offenses in each of the last three seasons, including the No. 1 group this past regular season. Allen’s presence should alleviate some concerns about Johnson as a first-timer.
This hiring also pairs Johnson, who began his coaching career at Boston College with BC alum and Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
That is a key note amid questions about the latter’s job security.
Ben Johnson Tasked With Recreating Lions Magic
Johnson is not walking into the “best setup” for a coordinator, a nod to the narrative around Williams. He is, however, one of if not the top candidates this cycle. Just as Williams was the No. 1 QB in his class for two years before the usual pre-draft speculation began.
In both instances, the devil is in the details.
The Bears did Williams a disservice, pairing him with other splashy and flashy names at wide receiver and running back instead of an offensive line that could protect him or a coaching staff that could develop him.
In Johnson – who helped turn former No. 1 pick Jared Goff into a Pro Bowl QB – Williams appears to have the coaching part.
Johnson needs Poles for the rest.
The Bears do not have the offensive line that the Lions do. But that is where Poles’ work on the skill spots will be a benefit. Poles has shown a propensity to go all-in on addressing a position of need and the offensive line has to be at the top of the list.
It should go without saying given Poles is a former offensive lineman. But many of his previous forays have failed to pan out as expected.
Perhaps he follows his current trend of going with “top” – i.e. popular – decision again.