What Ben Johnson’s Hire Means for Bears, Lions: Why Chicago Isn’t in the Clear Yet After Landing Top Coaching Target
The Chicago Bears are reportedly finalizing a deal to make Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson their head coach. Johnson, the most sought-after coaching candidate on the market, leaves behind an impressive three-season tenure with the Lions, during which their offense consistently ranked in the top five in total and scoring offense.
The move has major implications for the NFC North, particularly for the Bears and Lions. Let’s break down what this means for both teams.
What Johnson’s Hiring Means for the Bears
The pressure is on quarterback Caleb Williams.
While the details of Johnson’s contract remain undisclosed, speculation suggests he could earn close to the $15 million annually he was reportedly seeking for a head-coaching job last offseason—a figure his agent denied at the time. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently set the over/under at $14.5 million per year, hinting the number could go higher.
While money played a role, Johnson’s decision appears to have been heavily influenced by the Bears’ quarterback situation. According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, Johnson chose Chicago because of Caleb Williams.
“Johnson picked the Bears because of the quarterback. It’s that simple,” noted Mike Sansone of The Athletic.
Williams, last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, had a rocky rookie season. Despite boasting the NFL’s lowest interception rate over his final 11 games (0.3%), he was sacked a league-high 68 times—partly due to his tendency to hold the ball too long. Pro Football Focus noted that at USC, Williams averaged 3.27 seconds per throw, a habit he carried into the NFL.
Johnson’s success with Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, suggests he could have a transformative impact on Williams. However, if the partnership falters, Williams could bear the brunt of the fallout. Given Johnson’s expected salary, a buyout would be costly, making it more likely the Bears would give him a shot with another quarterback before considering a termination.
Despite the optimism, there are concerns. Johnson won’t have control over personnel decisions, and his relationship with Bears general manager Ryan Poles will be under scrutiny. Poles, who has led Chicago to a 15-36 record over three seasons, has made several questionable moves, including the acquisitions of Chase Claypool and Montez Sweat for second-round picks, as well as Keenan Allen for a fourth-rounder. These decisions haven’t yielded significant improvement, raising questions about the team’s direction.
Williams’ potential lured Johnson to Chicago, but unless this partnership results in playoff appearances, it may not last.
“I’m like, ‘So what’s up with you, you did an interview, like, are you leaving?'” St. Brown said on the podcast.
“He’s like, ‘You know what, I’m on my way to the facility right now.’ He said he couldn’t sleep last night. He was thinking about it, and he said, ‘There’s unfinished business.’ He wants to stay.”
What Johnson’s Hiring Means for the Lions
Detroit faces a tough road ahead after a disappointing playoff run, and replacing Johnson only adds to the challenges.
In January 2024, following the Lions’ NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown reflected on Johnson’s decision to return to Detroit last offseason instead of pursuing head-coaching opportunities. On his “St. Brown Brothers” podcast, St. Brown noted Johnson’s sense of “unfinished business” with the team.
However, the Lions’ early playoff exit may have shifted Johnson’s perspective. Detroit’s loss as the NFC’s top seed puts them in a precarious position, historically speaking. Since 2011, only seven No. 1 seeds have lost in the divisional round, and just one—the Broncos—went on to win a Super Bowl with their core intact. Notably, Denver fired head coach John Fox before achieving that success under Gary Kubiak.
The Lions now face the prospect of replacing both coordinators, as defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a finalist for head-coaching roles with the Jets and Saints. With these looming changes, Detroit may have missed its best shot at a championship with this roster.
