The Chicago Bears have hired Ben Johnson, former Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator, after firing Matt Eberflus due to the 2024 Thanksgiving game disaster. For anyone who missed the game, here is a quick recap: the Bears were trailing the entire game, making a strong (and unexpected) comeback during the second half. With seconds on the clock and the chance to win or tie the game, Eberflus … let the clock run out. They lost 23-20 after a six-game losing streak, which apparently, he wanted to continue.
Eberflus’ play calling was too conservative. Too often, he would settle for field goals instead of risking anything, and hey, no risk, no reward, right? Their Expected Points Added (EPA), a statistical tool designed to measure how a team’s expected scoring potential changes on a play-by-play basis, was always average. Often, the teams that win the EPA, win the game.
The Bears also had offensive line issues, which stalled starting quarterback Caleb Willams. Due to injuries, a lack of consistency, and depth in the offensive line roster, the Bears were a low-output offense. So, this disaster of a game, along with Eberflus’ poor coaching decisions and time management skills, cost him the job only three years in. This made him the first head coach fired mid-season in Bears history.
Johnson’s hire has been met with enthusiasm from fans. His aggressive and intelligent play calling seems to be just the thing to breathe new life into the Bears. Many are excited by his transparency and his desire to forge his own path with the team. Johnson is coming from the Lions, a gritty team that goes for it on fourth down more than any other team in the league, and with great success. In short, the total opposite of the defense-heavy and conservative 2024 Bears.
Johnson plans to transform the offense, and thus the Bears. His hire of legendary running back coach Eric Bieniemy shows he is in it for the long haul, he is not afraid to spend money to get good players and coaches. He is planning on elevating and training up this team. This offseason move has been met with great enthusiasm from fans and peers alike, creating hope for Johnson’s first season as head coach.
Johnson also wants to expand Caleb Williams’ talents. In his efforts to create a more explosive offense, he is going to push Williams to start playing under center. Williams has predominantly been playing shotgun throughout his career, and Johnson is wisely going to put an end to it.
Why? Because playing under center gives quarterbacks more options and helps with the passing and running game. Being a shotgun QB is a bit of a setback, quite literally, as they start passing plays five yards behind the sticks. Now, being a shotgun QB, or just having shotgun plays, can be incredibly explosive if you have a strong, protective offensive line. Which the Bears didn’t, at least not last season.
Johnson wants to become more dominant offensively, increasing pass protection and pushing his running back to get more yards per play. His schemes will no doubt be influenced by his three years in Detroit.
While this could mean big things for the Bears, as the NFC North is arguably the toughest division in the league, it’s mostly just talk at the moment. As the Bears, and most NFL teams, are quick to fire head coaches, whatever Johnson does, he needs to do it quickly. The offseason trades and hires are a step in the right direction, and the upcoming draft is another opportunity for Johnson to prove himself, but it will all come down to how the Bears hold up during the season.
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