Commentary: Ben Johnson is a massive hire for the Bears |
While the deal hasn't been finalized regarding what the terms will be, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be the next head coach in Chicago, which will open the beginning of the next chapter for this organization. It's no secret that Johnson is a well-respected coach across the NFL and has steadily been gauging HC interest across the past three seasons.
Those interests became even more prevalent this season as the 37-year-old Johnson orchestrated what was the best offense in the NFL for the past two seasons. Despite things not going the Lions' way in the NFC Divisional round in their loss to Washington, the offense was still very good as they put up more than 500 yards of offense on the Commanders. Their issue was the turnovers, as they committed five turnovers, which ultimately cost them the game. When you look at the body of work that Johnson put together this season, there is no denying that he is an offensive-minded guy, which was one of the main traits the Bears were looking for. For the season, the Lions ranked No. 1 in points per game with 33.2 and ranked second in total yardage at 409.5. That alone played a significant role in why this team finished the regular season 15-2 and earned the top seed in the NFC. Given the playmakers that Detroit has on the offensive side of the ball, you can see why Johnson and the offense had so much success, as there are weapons everywhere. You can say the same thing about the Bears, who are now in a position to take the next step forward as a franchise. While Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery are all better options than what the Bears currently have, Johnson does have previous experience with D'Andre Swift, who spent two seasons with Johnson in Detroit. Granted, neither one of those seasons was as productive as the past two, but having the continuity and relationship those two have is a massive plus, as he will know how to maximize Swift to get the most out of him. Adding Johnson to this team is another big win for Williams, who will get the offensive-minded coach he hoped for. Anytime you have a young franchise quarterback paired with a loaded offense, you create the most diverse game plan possible to maximize their success. You started to see that at times with Thomas Brown this past season, but Brown is no Johnson, as this QB/Coach duo has the chance to be something special for years. The feeling is mutual, as Johnson stated several times throughout the season that he would love to work with Williams and that the Chicago opening is one of those jobs he would love to pursue. Not only did he pursue that job, but according to reports, he aced his interview, making him the Bears top choice out of the gates. Now that the head coach position has been filled, the next question is whether or not Johnson retains any of this season's staff or brings with him some of the coaches from Detroit. You could make the case that Brown should deserve some consideration for offensive coordinator, but look for Ryan Poles and Johnson to do away with the entire offense, as they need to start fresh. Defensively, Eric Washington did enough to earn a spot on next season's staff, but should Johnson feel someone from Detroit is a better fit, look for them to follow him to the Windy City. This is a massive day for the Bears and their entire franchise as they got the coach they wanted and the hottest commodity on the open market. It's now on Johnson to prove his worth as a coach, as he will be taking over a franchise in desperate need of wins while also playing in one of the most challenging decisions in football. More to come on this announcement soon as the Bears and their entire fan base can now get excited for 2025.
