Tom Pelissero of NFL Network says that Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, will be the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Since 2022, Johnson, 38, has served as the offensive coordinator for the Lions.
The Bears, the only team in the NFC North with a record below.500, concluded the 2024 season 5-12 and in last place.After a 4–8 start to the season, Chicago sacked head coach Matt Eberflus, marking the first time the team has done so in the middle of the season.
In 2012, Johnson joined the Miami Dolphins as an offensive assistant to start his NFL coaching career. After serving in a number of offensive capacities with the Dolphins until 2018, he joined Detroit in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach.
Johnson was elevated to offensive coordinator by the Lions in 2022, during Dan Campbell’s second season as head coach. Jared Goff, who threw for 96 touchdowns during the three seasons that Johnson oversaw Detroit’s offense, has been credited with helping to revitalize his career.
Johnson is also renowned for his usage of trick plays, including the toss-turned-shovel pass the Lions employed against the Washington Commanders in their Divisional Round playoff game.
Johnson has been a sought-after figure on the coaching market for the past two offseasons. Johnson reportedly turned down an interview offer from the Carolina Panthers prior to the 2023 season. Prior to the 2024 season, he reportedly declined interviews with the Commanders and Seattle Seahawks.
For a large portion of the past 20 years, the Bears have struggled.
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Chicago has only won one postseason game since the 2006 season, and none since the 2010 season, when they made an appearance in Super Bowl XLI. The Bears haven’t finished with a winning record since 2018, and their most recent postseason berth was following the 2020 season.
Getting more out of quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall choice in the last NFL Draft, will be Johnson’s first aim in Chicago.Williams passed for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions during his debut campaign. Williams tied for 15th place in passing touchdowns and 17th in passing yards.
In the next draft, the Bears will have the tenth pick. According to Over The Cap, Chicago will also have a little over $66 million in cap space this offseason.