In Lake Forest, Illinois, Ben Johnson has embraced a unique opportunity with the Chicago Bears, viewing their roster as “loaded” and excited about the prospect of working with potential franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. Stepping into his first head coaching role is a significant challenge for him.
“I’ve always admired what this place could be because I’ve faced them twice a year over the last six years, and I’ve really felt like it’s close to going over the hump,” Johnson remarked recently. He was appointed as head coach after spending three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, where he showcased his coaching prowess. The Bears, expectations high at the beginning of the season, ended up last in the NFC North with a disappointing record of 5-12, leading to the midseason dismissal of former coach Matt Eberflus.
Johnson’s approach to his new team is clear: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” He stated confidently, “We’re gonna push. We’re gonna challenge.” Before this role, Johnson worked his way up through the ranks in coaching, initially as a quality control coach under Matt Patricia in Detroit, following seven years as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins. Under his guidance, the Lions boasted one of the NFL’s most formidable offensive units, leading the league in points per game and achieving impressive passing and total yardage numbers during their victorious NFC North campaign.
Known for his inventive play-calling, Johnson left a strong impression on the Bears when the Lions faced them in Week 16, executing a trick play that resulted in a touchdown. As he steps into his role, Johnson intends to be hands-on with play-calling. “I have been around a number of guys that have called plays in the past, and I’ve seen the potential pitfalls that could arise,” he explained. To address this, he emphasized the need for a detail-oriented offensive coordinator who will align with his vision and work diligently.
Additionally, Johnson indicated that former coaches like Dennis Allen from the Saints and Raiders may be considered for the defensive coordinator role. His commitment is to adapt the offensive strategy to fit the strengths of his players, particularly focusing on Caleb Williams. “We’re going to build this thing,” Johnson asserted, emphasizing a complete overhaul rather than merely applying an existing playbook. He is eager to engage and challenge Williams to grow during the offseason.
Having contributed to Jared Goff’s resurgence as a viable quarterback in Detroit, where Goff consistently surpassed 4,400 passing yards and earned Pro Bowl selections, Johnson brings a wealth of experience to the table. Williams expressed his excitement upon hearing of Johnson’s hiring, stating he was “insanely excited” and reacted enthusiastically during a drive home after his conversation with Bears management. He mentioned that Johnson reassured him it would be his offense while also pushing him to reach his full potential.
The Bears confirmed they conducted interviews with numerous candidates, but it was evident that Johnson was their prime target. General Manager Ryan Poles noted, “He’s done a lot of things that are special to put an offense together to operate at a high, high level, and that stood out.” It remains unclear whether Poles received an extension of his contract to coincide with Johnson’s hiring, as team president Kevin Warren stated they do not typically discuss employment matters.
Despite having opportunities for interviews with other teams, Johnson felt a strong connection to Chicago, having made numerous trips to the city, including visiting with his family to enjoy Cubs games. “I know what this city is about,” he reflected. “It just simply did not take me a long time to decide that this is where I wanted to be, I wanted my family to be. And these are the people that I wanted to be around.”
