Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has rebuffed the opportunity to be a head coach in each of the last two hiring cycles, and he has done nothing to hurt his stock in 2024. He is again expected to be one of the hottest HC candidates in the upcoming cycle, though he will remain highly selective about his destination.
Given the Bears’ abundance of salary cap space, skill position talent, and the presence of talented rookie-contract QB Caleb Williams, it is easy to see why they believe their HC post is the most desirable among those that are expected to be available in 2025. Bill Belichick, before he made the surprising decision to join the college ranks, reportedly shared that view.
The attractiveness of the job in a vacuum is one thing, but a November report suggested that Johnson may steer clear of the Bears due to perceived organizational dysfunction. However, subsequent reports noted that Johnson may indeed consider the Chicago gig, and today, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network said that the 38-year-old offensive guru is “intrigued” by the position and is willing to listen to the Bears’ pitch (video link). As we had previously heard that Johnson is not going to interview simply for the sake of interviewing, any summit he conducts with Bears brass would seemingly indicate that he is prepared to accept the job if offered.
While the Bears have been said to be prioritizing a “leader of men” type of head coach over a candidate with a specific background, Johnson’s reputation as an offensive mastermind is not only in keeping with the trend in today’s HC searches, but it would be especially beneficial to a team looking to unlock the potential of a blue chip prospect like Williams.
And, despite turning down what was generally regarded as a similarly appealing post with the Commanders in the 2024 hiring period, Johnson reiterated that he wants to take a team’s top job at some point.
“I think there’s a burning desire in every man to find what he’s made out of and push the limits and see if he’s got what it takes,” Johnson said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “And so yeah, there’s a fire there. Now, when that time is? I don’t know, when that’ll be, but there’s certainly a fire there.”
When asked specifically about Williams, Johnson was complimentary but conceded that he had not really studied the rookie’s tape.
“Listen, it’s been difficult to sit down and just study every throw but plenty of crossover tape over the course of the year and there’s no question this guy’s talented,” Johnson said. “I remember standing on the sideline last game and just you can hear the ball whistle by you. He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well. Like I said, I haven’t really dove in and can tell you much more beyond that, but he’s been impressive from afar.”
Whether Johnson finally decides to move on from Detroit will be perhaps the top question when it comes to the 2025 HC carousel. If he does, it sounds as if the Bears will be firmly in the mix.
Interestingly, Johnson – a UNC alum – was not contacted by the school to discuss its head coaching vacancy, as Birkett notes in a separate piece. Of course, that job went to Belichick, who will continue his legendary career as the Tar Heels’ skipper.
Yes please.
If they can keep “McCasket” out of the way then maybe. But that vibe killer is famous for wanting guys like Eberflub- “Blue spot on a blue wall” choices that never rock the boat and don’t cost a ton. Leader of men picks who’d get lost on the way to the bathroom. Surprise everybody George and stay the heck out of the way.
Actually they want the cheapest guy they can find. Its why the Bears take flyers on relative unknowns, or in the case of Fox, has beens, since Lovie was jettisoned.
Guys like Vrabel and Johnson will be highly sought after.. meaning that whoever wants them will need to pay AND that guy will want control over the roster in some form. I fail to see the McCaskeys doing that.
It would be a lot less offensive line talent than he’s used to working with, but a super talented young quarterback, a strong pass catcher group, a solid foundation on defense, and the offense would look light years better with even competent coaching going into the season.
Well that’s easily fixable via draft and free agency, theoretically.
Commanders did the same thing prior to Daniels arriving going out and signing OLs.
Bears position is attractive cause they have the weapons, cap space, and high draft pick incoming.
It’s not like Washington’s offensive line is actually good yet, though. Chicago can certainly improve their line with investment and coaching, but if offensive lines were easily fixable, more teams would have good ones.
Better than last years unit which should be the goal. Improve the unit. If you’re goal is to be the best unit or top 5 in the league well you may not reach those expectations. Best oline doesn’t always win the Super Bowl.
But if your goal is to take a 20th ranked line and improve it to 10th best well that’s easier to do.
If Jayden Daniels was behind last years line Howell was would they have as much success? Probably not.
Bears can certainly improve and be a better unit. And if they were they’d have a couple more wins than they currently have.
OK. That doesn’t make it good. My initial point was that Ben Johnson has worked with a top five tackle tandem every season he’s been a coordinator, with some pretty strong talent on the interior, too. There’s nothing Chicago can do to come close to that even with a busy offseason.
Doesn’t need to.
Again Washington went from a bottom of the league oline play earning them the 2nd overall pick in the draft, made additions to improve the unit, and because of the additions they’re 9-5 with a chance to beat the eagles today to go 10-5 and the only real improvements they made were the oline and drafting Daniels
Would Washington be 9-5 if they ran back the same oline unit last year? Nope.
Your expectation the bears need to have a lions offensive line to be successful is off base.
They need improved offensive line play but don’t need an elite unit by any means
Tampa Bay had a good unit all those years Winston was there but really shined when Brady got there. Same with Burrow and Bengals, Bengals invested into the line before Burrow got there. Same with Buffalo and Allen. Franchise QBs make olines look better.
Bears don’t need an elite unit. They just need an improved unit to give Caleb time.
“Your expectation the bears need to have a lions offensive line to be successful is off base.” This is not something I have said at any point. I said it’s much worse than Johnson has worked with. Washington also looks a lot better because they got one of the fastest quarterbacks in football instead of one of the biggest sack magnets in football.
“ This is not something I have said at any point.”
You: “ There’s nothing Chicago can do to come close to that [Lions tackle tandem and interior oline play] even with a busy offseason.”
Idk. Seems like you expect Ben Johnson will only be successful if he has the same oline play he has in Detroit. Per your own words.
Then you have a reading comprehension problem.
Your words are your words.
For the record, detroits line wasn’t nearly as successful until Campbell and Johnson came and installed their scheme.
All of Detroit’s starters arrived years before Campbell and Johnson showed up and weren’t nearly as successful a unit as they are now under previous coaches and schemes.
Decker Glasnow Ragnow Jackson replaced by Zeitler this off season Sewell arrived well before Campbell and Johnson did
But why let facts get in the way.
It’s totally possible to improve the unit with draft free agency additions and coaching changes to scheme. You don’t need to be top 3 top 5 unit to be successful in the NFL. But you can’t be bottom 3 bottom 5.
Washington is finding success cause their line grades out as about average middle of the pack. Compared to last year when they graded out as bottom 3 being middle / average is a vast improvement and you’re seeing results.
Facts hurt I know.
My words were listing pros and cons of the Bears job and saying that he’s used to working with a better offensive line than Chicago has. I never said he requires anything. You’re arguing with things I didn’t write.
Dan Quinn knows how to work with less apparently. The Bears, nor their coaching picks, have no concept of this.
Says a lot how far Trevor has fallen. Yes, I know Pederson is still coaching, but he’ll be fired. Shad will be himself; overpay for an ordinary HC yet again.
Bears Please hired Johnson as head coach Poles do not mess this one up hire Johnson
Heard this narrative before. The offensive guru then was Matt Nagy.
Yeah but Nagy was a QB coach, not an OC, which is why the Bears will not get into any sort of bidding war for Johnson. The Bears want a guy that’s desperate, so they keep their control.
He should be intrigued. They have a young talented QB. If the bears were smart they’d show interest back. All Johnson needs to do is stear clear of the Jets
So much for the poster that told me Ben Johnson is perfectly happy in Detroit and wants to stay forever and has no aspirations to be a HC. Ranks up there with some of Aesop’s Fables don’t ya think?
Money talks, but there is likely not enough the Bears will pay. They demand their coach show fealty, and good coaches will not.
This kind of statement lowers my opinion of Ben Johnson.
Same. Why not stay silent and focus on the task at hand?
The closer we get to the end of the season the more wild will be the speculation about GM and coaching changes. I’ve just installed a new battery in my smoke detector in preparation for the avalanche of rumors.
Hopefully the bears get him! Im interested in seeing his play designs when he’s not working with the best OL in the league
If Johnson is smart, he goes nowhere near Chicago as the org is a trainwreck whose entire team gave up on the season about 7 games ago. Heck If the Bears are smart (LOL) which they clearly are not, they would fire Poles and get another GM in the door who actually believes if getting the O and D lines in order before grabbing for shiny objects.
Intrigued at what a dumpster fire that position is in Chicago. At least a few coaches have turned down that “intriguing” position in the last few years.
I actually believe that the HC decision for the Bears will come down to Johnson and Joe Brady.
I think Brady might come a little cheaper, which the McCaskey’s will probably love, and also comes with the pedigree of working with and elevating an incredibly talented quarterback.
Whoever the Bears choose goal #1 this offseason by Ryan Poles, or whoever the GM is, fix the OL! Going to need 3 to 4 new starters as the only guaranteed starter is Darnell Wright. Who knows how bad Braxton Jones injury was yesterday, and an upgrade over him is always a possibility.
FA dollars only go so far and there are only so many draft picks. Have to hit on all of them.
I think the Bears are giving serious consideration to Kingsbury. The organization can’t evaluate HCs any better than QBs however so they might end up with Marcia Brady.
Johnson must be watching tape with he eyes shut because the “generational talent” the Bears and their fans believe is in the building…..is nothing but an average, or worse, talent.
I’d be more intrigued with JAX. They have a lot of young talent and an owner willing to spend in FA.
Uh the Bears spend in FA. They just do it badly. Bears spend up to the Cap every year. Your statement isn’t real informed or smart.
The Bears do spend.. Not on coaching or development guys, but they do spend. Its also why Johnson is unlikely to be the Bears HC. McCaskey do not open their wallet for coaches and coordinators, they expect them to crawl to them begging for the opportunity to manage the ‘great’ Chicago Bears.
I’ll believe Johnson is leaving when I see it. He has made it clear he is in no hurry to leave Detroit and uproot his entire family. His wife and children have a lot of input in his decisions. They’re very happy in Detroit.