Ben Johnson played a significant role in helping Jared Goff emerge as one of the leading quarterbacks in the NFL. Now, he aims to replicate that success with Caleb Williams.
The offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions has reached an agreement to assume the head coaching position for the Chicago Bears, as confirmed by a source close to the situation on Monday. This individual requested anonymity because the contract is still being finalized.
At 38 years old, this will mark Johnson’s first head coaching role after three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell. Before joining the Lions in 2019, Johnson served as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins for seven years.
Under Johnson’s guidance, Goff has surpassed 4,400 passing yards in each of the last three seasons, achieving two of his four career Pro Bowls during that timeframe. The Lions finished the regular season with a remarkable 15-2 record, securing the top seed in the NFC before suffering a shocking defeat against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the divisional playoffs. Throughout the season, Detroit led the league in points per game and was rated second in both passing yards and total yards amassed per game.
Following the dismissal of Matt Eberflus on November 29, the Bears appointed Thomas Brown as interim coach. Chicago concluded the season with a disappointing last-place finish in the NFC North, recording a 5-12 record and enduring a ten-game losing streak before clinching a victory against Green Bay in their finale.
The primary focus for Johnson will be the development of Williams, particularly after the Bears’ fourth consecutive losing season. The No. 1 overall pick in the previous draft managed to achieve 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and only six interceptions but faced a staggering franchise-record 68 sacks, the highest in the league.
Williams has expressed admiration for Johnson’s coaching style. “It’s been fascinating to observe,” Williams commented two weeks ago during the team’s locker cleanout. “I would watch him carefully during our games, picking up on his unique strategies and techniques.”
Johnson has also voiced his appreciation for Williams before their Week 16 matchup against the Lions, emphasizing the quarterback’s raw talent and capability. “He definitely has a strong arm,” Johnson said. “Watching him from the sidelines, you could hear the speed at which the ball travels. He possesses the creativity to extend plays and is accurate on deep throws.”
The Bears confirmed they interviewed 17 candidates for the head coach position, including notable figures like former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and former coaches Mike McCarthy and Mike Vrabel.
The Chicago franchise has seen only three playoff appearances since their 2006 NFC championship win, with their only Super Bowl title dating back to 1985. Since their last postseason victory in 2010, under coach Lovie Smith, Johnson will be the sixth head coach for the Bears in this period, excluding Brown.
Since general manager Ryan Poles took over, the Bears have a dismal record of 15-36, experiencing two separate losing streaks of ten games or longer. The team concluded the previous season with a franchise-worst 14-game losing streak.
Entering this season, the Bears had high hopes of contending for a playoff spot after making significant offseason moves, including Williams’ addition and a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Chargers for Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen. However, after a promising 4-2 start, the team’s fortunes declined dramatically.
This season marked the first time in franchise history the Bears terminated a head coach mid-season, dismissing Eberflus following a series of questionable in-game decisions. They also let go of their offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, after a mere nine games as part of a coaching overhaul. Following Waldron’s exit, Brown, who was initially the team’s passing game coordinator, ascended to interim head coach just weeks later.
The situation worsened to the point where fans were heard chanting “Sell the team!” during their final home game against Seattle—a disheartening 6-3 loss on a nationally televised Thursday night.