Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, considered by many to be the top head coaching candidate in the NFL (for the second year in a row) has found a home. No longer a bachelor, Johnson finds himself married to the Monsters of the Midway, as he is now the going to be patrolling the sidelines for the Chicago Bears. Chicago and the Las Vegas Raiders were the presumed frontrunners for the league’s best OC, and fans in the Windy City couldn’t be happier.
Last season the Bears finished 7-10, third place in the NFC North. Thanks to trading away the number one pick a year prior, Chicago would have two top-ten picks in the 20-24 NFL Draft. Speculation was that the team would move on from Matt Eberflus, who was 10-24 with the club, but they instead decided to bring him back and give him a shot with Caleb Williams. This resulted in a 4-8 start to 2024, and being replaced by Thomas Brown, who didn’t fare much better (1-4).
Reports surfaced halfway through the season that Ben Johnson coveted the Chicago job, but never got a chance to interview for it. The club decided to stick with Eberflus before Johnson’s season had finished with the Detroit Lions. They were not going to make the same mistake twice, and less than 48 hours after Johnson’s season ended prematurely in a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders, he had reached an agreement with Chicago on a contract.
Johnson had interviewed with the Raiders and the New England Patriots, so there was a chance the Bears could have missed out on him again. In the end, the Patriots went with their former player Mike Vrabel, and Vegas had nothing intriguing to offer. Better late than never, and on January 20, 2025, the Chicago Bears unwrapped the best Christmas gift they’ve opened in a long time.
Johnson started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Boston College in 2009, before getting a promotion in 2011 to Tight Ends coach. In 2012, he found his way to the NFL and spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In 2019, he was added to Dan Campbell’s staff in Detroit, became the passing game coordinator in 2021, and the offensive coordinator in 2022.
After being discarded by the Los Angeles Rams in a trade for Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff would find himself getting plays from Johnson in 2021. Over the next four seasons, Goff would be arguably the most efficient quarterback in the NFL. He averaged 260 yards per game and had 115 touchdowns to just 39 interceptions. He also sported a 100.2 passer rating, and all of that can be attributed to Johnson’s play calling.
Johnson will take over a Bears team that has the most talented quarterback in the 2024 Draft Class. Williams massively missed expectations under Eberflus, and no one would put the blame on the quarterback. He had nine starts this past season where he didn’t throw a single interception, but still lost the game. It was the first time that has happened since 1950. If Johnson can turn Goff into an All-Pro, Bears fans have to be downright giddy about what he can do with someone as talented as Williams.
Stadium Rant reached out to Chicago Media personality Brandon Combs for his thoughts on the signing. The host of Combs and Fitz Windy City Sports, and producer for Audacy, Inc is excited, but trying not to give into those emotions.
“I’m extremely pumped, but cautiously pumped, lol.” -Brandon Combs
It’s tough to blame him. Bears fans have gotten excited and been burned in the past. This signing seems different though. For once (in the past couple of decades anyway), the city has a reason to be excited. They signed a promising young play-caller to go with their destined-for-greatness quarterback. Johnson will need to solidify the offensive line, but all the pieces are in place for a quick turnaround.
The Bears will pick 10th in the 2025 Draft (one pick later than where they grabbed Rome Odunze in 2024). They also have more than $69 million in cap space to bring in free agents. Johnson will have to trust Ryan Poles, a general manager that Johnson allegedly wanted axed as part of signing in Chicago.
No word yet on who Johnson plans to bring with him, and add to his coaching staff. He did say it’s not a process he plans to rush. No matter what he chooses, he has just made the Bears the 5th-happiest place for NFL fans, behind the four cities still in the playoffs.
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