The Chicago Bears are getting their turn to speak with the belle of the ball, meeting with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
An interview process for the next head coach has led them to speak to several candidates. Some of them have experience, like Mike Vrabel and Pete Carroll, and others are on the rise like Anthony Weaver and Drew Petzing.
Ben Johnson Interviewing With Bears as Demand Remains High
Record: 36-15 (as OC)
Playoff Record: (2-1)
Bears HC Candidate Ben Johnson Elevated Lions
Johnson’s track record is strong. He has been the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022. Johnson took over for Anthony Lynn who was fired after one season at the helm. The impact of the change was immediate.
Detroit ranked 25th in points and 22nd in yards in 2021, which was a step back from the season before.
They took a massive step forward to fifth and fourth, respectively, in Johnson’s first season.
The Lions have ranked no lower than fifth in yards with Johnson dialing up the offense, topping out at No. 1 this past season. They have also improved in scoring every year, ranking second in 2024.
That they ranked 16th in passing attempts while finishing second in yards is arguably the most encouraging part about what Johnson and the Lions did this past season.
The Lions were also third in rushing attempts and sixth in yards.
Moreover, Johnson has received strong votes of confidence from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who mentioned the job the coach has done with his NFC North rival who put up 34 points against the Bears in Week 16. Johnson has also spoken highly of Williams.
Future Chicago Bears Head coach Ben Johnson talking about Caleb Williams and being a head coach 🥹 pic.twitter.com/cgwqxokFSo
— CALEB WILLIAMS BURNER ❼ (@yoeshmo) December 19, 2024
It would be essential for the Bears to build the kind of offensive staff Johnson needs, particularly along the offensive line. They have already done a decent job of acquiring skill positions.
Johnson as the conductor could unlock their full potential.
Ben Johnson’s Grind a Green Flag
The biggest question around Johnson – other than whether he will stay or go – is what kind of head coach he will be. He has never been a head coach at the collegiate or NFL level. He is also relatively inexperienced as a playcaller in a cycle where retread coaches are popular even with the Bears.
However, Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019, starting as an offensive quality control assistant.
He spent the following two seasons as tight ends coach, a common role for eventual HCs.
Johnson spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins from 2012 to 2018. He began as an offensive assistant, working his way to assistant QB coach where he would eventually add tight end duties before moving to assistant wide receivers coach and, finally, wide receivers coach.
Before that, Johnson was a graduate assistant and then tight ends coach – see the trend? – at Boston College, the alma mater of Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
Poles was a graduate assistant at BC in 2008, the same year Johnson graduated from North Carolina.
Johnson got into coaching the following season. He followed Poles – who was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as a scouting assistant – as a GA at Boston College. In an industry where relationships are paramount, there are many reasons to believe the two sides could be a fine match.
The interest in Johnson means he likely has his choice of positions. He has taken and will take several other interviews during this cycle.
He could also return to Detroit.
Whatever happens, going after a candidate like Johnson is exactly the kind of move the Bears must make. And while Johnson will have options, Poles should do whatever he can to ensure he gets him. At the very least, Poles’ eventual choice better produce as Johnson has.