Teammate Patrick Flowers recently laid out a compelling argument for why Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson should be the Chicago Bears’ top target in their head coaching search. With the Lions visiting Soldier Field to play the Bears on Sunday, expect even more buzz linking Johnson to Chicago’s coaching vacancy. Notably, it’s not just analysts like Patrick or me making the case for Johnson. Even Lions players are voicing their support.
Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times captured quotes from two Lions wide receivers that highlight why Ben Johnson is a serious candidate for the Bears (or other teams):
Jameson Williams: “He’s a mastermind on the offensive side of the ball. And I’m pretty sure he’d find somebody to take care of the defensive side.”
Tim Patrick: “He comes up with things that you don’t really think about, but he’s also open-minded to listen to guys that have been here that have input. He finds a way to make it work. A coach that listens to his players but also puts his own touch on it, that’s hard to find.”
These concise endorsements speak volumes, proving you don’t always need long explanations to summarize why someone is a standout candidate.
Ben Johnson is the Type of Coach the Bears Should’ve Hired Last Time
These quotes resonate for different reasons.
Tim Patrick’s comments about Johnson listening to players and valuing their input stand out. They remind us how player-coach disconnects have hurt the Bears in recent years. Think back to when Bears captains had to ask Shane Waldron to coach harder, or when miscommunication between coach and quarterback cost the Bears a comeback opportunity against the Lions on Thanksgiving.
Even during the Luke Getsy era, Justin Fields openly acknowledged being out of sync with his play-caller. Hiring a coach like Johnson, who could unify the locker room and handle play-calling, might finally help the Bears move past their current struggles.
Jameson Williams’ praise also caught my attention, especially his confidence in Johnson hiring a strong defensive coordinator. This directly addresses one of the biggest concerns about hiring an offensive-minded head coach: ensuring the defense is in capable hands.
The Bears’ next head coach must assemble a strong staff to maximize the team’s potential. While prioritizing an offensive-minded hire to develop quarterback Caleb Williams is wise, that’s just one piece of the puzzle. It’s too soon to speculate on who Johnson might bring in as a defensive coordinator, but it’s already a critical consideration.
