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.
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.
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
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?
This kind of statement lowers my opinion of Ben Johnson.
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.