Chicago is buzzing with the announcement that the Chicago Bears have swiftly secured Ben Johnson as their new head coach. This marks a significant shift in the NFL coaching landscape following the recent playoff eliminations.
The recent playoff weekend saw the Washington Commanders upset the Detroit Lions, which allowed Johnson, along with fellow top candidate Aaron Glenn, to become available for hiring. Johnson, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Lions, comes with an impressive track record, having led the team to a top-five offense in both scoring and yardage each season he was with them.
During his three-year tenure, Johnson played a crucial role in the Lions reaching the NFC Championship game after the 2023 season and helped secure the No. 1 seed in 2024. His work with Jared Goff transformed the quarterback into a Pro Bowler. With the Bears now focused on maximizing Caleb Williams‘ potential, Johnson’s offensive creativity is expected to provide the rookie quarterback with a robust foundation.
As the Bears celebrate this important acquisition, other teams are left to rethink their coaching strategies. The Las Vegas Raiders, who had been closely pursuing Johnson, must now explore alternative candidates to replace Antonio Pierce. So far, they have interviewed several defensive-minded coaches, setting their sights now potentially on Greg Roman, who has an offensive background.
Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who also showed interest in Johnson, will need to adjust their search as well. According to reports, they have already lined up interviews with a number of offensive-minded coaches, and Joe Brady is a name that has surfaced as a strong possibility.
As for Mike McCarthy, after parting ways with the Cowboys, he was in the running for several positions but now finds himself with limited options. With the Saints showing interest in both Glenn and McCarthy, it remains to be seen how their choices will unfold, leaving McCarthy in a waiting game.
In conclusion, while the first weeks of the offseason were slow, the coaching carousel has picked up pace following key playoff outcomes. As teams make adjustments to their coaching strategies, fans can expect more moves in the coming days, altering the landscape of the NFL for the 2025 season.
