The Chicago Bears have named Ben Johnson as the team’s next head coach.
Johnson had previously served as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, a position he has held for the past three years. During his tenure, Johnson helped guide the Lions to their first division title since 1993 and first playoff victory since 1991.
This past season, Johnson oversaw a Lions offense that averaged 33.2 points per game, the best in the National Football League (NFL) and the highest in franchise history. The offense also recorded the most 40 point games without any turnovers (five) in league history.
However, the Lions offensive firepower did not lead them to playoff success as the team was defeated 45-31 by the Washington Commanders.
Following the loss, Johnson was available to be hired by any NFL team. Besides the Bears, he also interviewed with the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders for their head coach positions.
The Bears finished last season at 5-12, last in the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The team fired Matt Eberflus after their Thanksgiving day loss to Johnson’s former team, the Detroit Lions. Following Eberflus dismissal, reports surfaced that the Bears were interested in several different candidates. The team announced that they would do a wide search which led to 17 candidates being interviewed.
During his time with the Bears, Johnson will be asked to build a solid team around quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams recorded solid rookie numbers, but faced constant pressure from opposing defensive lines as he was sacked a league-high 68 times. Finding a way to protect Williams will likely be Johnson’s top priority as he begins his tenure with the team.
With this hire, the Bears can begin moving forward as the team looks to move atop the NFC North. With eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and over $70 million in cap space, there are plenty of resources the team has to improve their roster.
