The Chicago Bears are at a pivotal moment in their franchise’s history. With a talented young roster, high draft picks, and a fanbase hungry for success, they need a head coach who can maximize the team’s potential and bring sustained success. That’s why Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, is the ideal candidate for the job. Here’s why Johnson is the perfect fit for the Bears.
1. Offensive Innovation and Creativity
One of the biggest issues the Bears have faced for years is their lack of an elite offense. Johnson has proven to be one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, transforming the Lions’ offense into a powerhouse. His ability to design creative plays, utilize mismatches, and adjust his scheme to his personnel makes him the type of coach who can modernize the Bears’ offense.
In Detroit, he took an offense led by Jared Goff and turned it into one of the league’s most efficient units. With his ability to maximize talent, imagine what he could do with the Bears’ current and future weapons, including potentially a new quarterback from the upcoming draft.
2. Quarterback Development
The Bears have struggled to develop a franchise quarterback for decades. Whether they stick with Justin Fields or select a top prospect like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the draft, they need a coach who can get the most out of their signal-caller.
Johnson has played a key role in revitalizing Goff’s career, turning him from a perceived liability into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. His track record in scheming to a QB’s strengths and improving decision-making makes him an ideal coach to groom a young quarterback in Chicago.
3. Adaptability and Play-Calling Excellence
A great head coach needs to be able to adjust on the fly and tailor a game plan to beat each opponent. Johnson has shown an incredible ability to do just that. His play-calling with the Lions has kept defenses on their heels, using deception, motion, and explosive plays to keep opponents guessing.
The Bears’ biggest flaw under past coaching staffs has been a rigid, outdated offensive approach. Johnson’s ability to adapt in real time would be a massive upgrade, ensuring the Bears don’t fall behind due to stale game planning.
4. Proven Success in a Rebuild
The Bears are in a similar situation to where the Lions were a few years ago—looking to go from bottom-tier to contender. Johnson was a key part of Detroit’s rise, helping turn a team that finished 3-13-1 in 2021 into a division winner in 2023.
Chicago is looking for someone who can lead them on a similar path. Johnson has already proven he can be a part of a major turnaround, and with the Bears’ resources, cap space, and draft capital, he could accelerate their rebuild just like he did in Detroit.
5. Aggressive Yet Smart Game Management
One of the most frustrating aspects of recent Bears coaching regimes has been their overly conservative approach. Johnson, however, embraces analytics and understands when to take calculated risks. His willingness to go for it on fourth down in key situations, use misdirection in the red zone, and keep the offense aggressive would be a welcome change for Bears fans.
6. Familiarity with the NFC North
Another advantage of hiring Johnson is that he already knows the NFC North. He’s spent the past few years competing against the Bears, Packers, and Vikings, meaning he has inside knowledge of the teams Chicago needs to beat to win the division.
This familiarity would allow him to hit the ground running, knowing exactly how to attack division rivals and build a team that can consistently compete in the North.
7. Modern Leadership Style
The NFL is evolving, and the best coaches today aren’t just X’s and O’s masterminds—they’re leaders who connect with players. Johnson has been praised for his leadership, communication skills, and ability to build strong relationships with his players.
For a young Bears roster, having a coach who understands today’s NFL players, motivates them, and fosters a strong culture would be a huge asset in building a winning team.
8. Long-Term Stability
The Bears need to get this hire right. They’ve gone through multiple coaching changes in the last decade, and it’s time for stability. Johnson is only 37 years old and could be the long-term solution Chicago needs.
Hiring a young, offensive-minded coach with the potential to be a top-tier leader for years would set the Bears up for sustained success, rather than another short-lived experiment.
Final Thoughts
Ben Johnson represents everything the Chicago Bears need in a head coach: offensive brilliance, quarterback development skills, adaptability, and a modern approach to leadership. With a young, talented roster and a chance to reset with a franchise quarterback, Johnson could be the coach who finally leads the Bears to long-term success.
If Chicago is serious about building a contender, hiring Ben Johnson should be their top priority.
