CHICAGO – In a significant move for the franchise, the Chicago Bears are reportedly finalizing a deal to make Ben Johnson their next head coach. This decision comes after a disappointing 5-12 season which resulted in the firing of Matt Eberflus midway through the year. Johnson, who has been the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions for the past three seasons, is expected to fly to Chicago soon to wrap up the contract details.
Johnson’s rise to prominence has been quite remarkable. Under his direction, the Lions became the top scoring offense in the NFL during the 2024 season, averaging an impressive 33.2 points per game. This led to them scoring 20 or more points in 16 out of 17 games and hitting the 40-point mark in six games, tying for the most by any team in a single season in NFL history.
The new head coach’s success is closely linked to quarterback Jared Goff, who led the league in both passing yards and touchdowns over the last three seasons. Goff’s performance peaked in 2024, where he set franchise records for completion percentage and passer rating.
Now, Johnson takes the helm in Chicago with an aim to replicate that success with franchise quarterback Caleb Williams, whom the Bears have high hopes for. Alongside Williams, Johnson’s task will be to instill a new level of professionalism and consistency that has been lacking in recent years.
It is worth noting that Johnson is one of many recent Bears hires who step into the position without prior head-coaching experience. Since John Fox in 2015, the Bears have leaned towards developing new coaching talent rather than tapping seasoned head coaches. The expectation now is for Johnson to harness the potential in Chicago, transforming the Bears into a competitive force in the NFC North.
As Johnson prepares to lead the Bears, excitement stirs among fans regarding the potential turnaround for the team. The franchise is hopeful that Johnson can create an explosive offense similar to what he built in Detroit, while also looking to construct a strong coaching staff, potentially including former Saints head coach Dennis Allen as his defensive coordinator.
