Ben Johnson has been appointed as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, a move that aims to replicate his success with Jared Goff in Detroit and translate it to Caleb Williams in Chicago. The team made the announcement on Tuesday regarding Johnsonโs agreement to take up this role.
In a statement, Johnson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, โHaving been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their head coach.โ This marks Johnsonโs debut as a head coach; at 38 years old, he was seen as the top candidate in the coaching market after three successful seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions under Dan Campbell. Prior to joining Detroitโs coaching staff in 2019, Johnson spent seven years as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins.
During his tenure in Detroit, Johnson played a pivotal role in Goffโs performance, with the quarterback amassing over 4,400 passing yards for three consecutive seasons. Goff also made two Pro Bowl appearances during this span. The Lions concluded the last season with a remarkable record of 15-2, earning the NFCโs top seed, before facing a surprising loss to the Washington Commanders. Under Johnsonโs guidance, Detroit was a powerhouse, leading the league in points scored per game and ranking highly in total passing yards and overall yards throughout the regular season.
Ryan Poles, the Bearsโ general manager, praised Johnson for his character, intelligence, and leadership skills throughout the hiring process. He acknowledged Johnson as a โprogressive offensive mind,โ emphasizing that Johnsonโs vision for the team reflected a commitment to fostering a competitive environment. He noted that their discussions confirmed his belief that Johnson was the right leader to help shape the franchise for sustained success.
Team president Kevin Warren commended Poles for the effective search for a new head coach and expressed gratitude for having Johnson take on this critical role. The Bears had previously parted ways with head coach Matt Eberflus at the end of November, naming Thomas Brown as interim coach. The team had a challenging season, finishing at the bottom of the NFC North with a 5-12 record, including a losing streak of ten games prior to ending the season with a victory against Green Bay.
A key focus for Johnson will be the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, particularly following the teamโs fourth consecutive losing season. Williams, the top pick from the previous draft, achieved notable numbers with over 3,500 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, although he faced a tough season with a franchise-record 68 sacks.
Williams has shown admiration for Johnsonโs abilities. In comments made two weeks prior, he reflected on watching Johnson lead the Lions, noting, โIt was fascinating to watchโฆ he had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game.โ Johnson himself recognized Williamsโ talent, remarking on the quarterbackโs exceptional skills during their previous matchups and expressing his excitement for working with him moving forward.
The Bears conducted interviews with a total of 17 coaching candidates, which included notable names such as Pete Carroll, Mike McCarthy, and Mike Vrabel, who ultimately took a position in New England. Since their successful 2006 season, during which they made a Super Bowl appearance, the Bears have only featured in three playoff games. Their last postseason victory dates back to 2010 when they reached the conference championship under Lovie Smith. Johnson is now the sixth head coach for the team in that time frame, not counting Brown.
In what has been a challenging three years under the leadership of Poles, the Bears have recorded a disappointing 15-36 record, marked by two separate double-digit losing streaks. Johnsonโs appointment represents a new chapter, with chairman George McCaskey expressing enthusiasm for his leadership qualities and commitment to the team. He welcomed Johnson and his family, stating, โWe are excited to see him lead our Bears.โ