The hope that Ben Johnson would leave the NFC North has proven to be wishful thinking.
The highly sought-after Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, who led the NFL’s top-scoring offense in 2024, is set to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, much to the disappointment of the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the NFC North.
On January 20, Adam Schefter reported on X (formerly Twitter), “Bear down: Chicago is finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Bears are getting their man.”
Ben Johnson’s New Challenge: Leading the Bears
While the Bears’ hiring of Johnson signals potential, it doesn’t guarantee success. Johnson thrived in Detroit thanks to a strong offensive line featuring Pro Bowlers like Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, and Penei Sewell, as well as talented playmakers and precise quarterbacking from Jared Goff.
In Chicago, he’ll be working with Caleb Williams, a quarterback with immense playmaking ability but a less conventional style compared to Goff. Williams, known for his ability to extend plays outside the pocket, struggled with turnovers and sacks in his rookie season, taking a league-high 68 sacks. Despite Chicago’s offensive line being average in pass-blocking, it’ll be up to Johnson to refine Williams’ game and bring balance to the offense.
Still, Johnson’s creativity and play-calling prowess could be the perfect fit for Williams, especially with the quarterback’s mobility providing new avenues for offensive innovation.
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Offers Words of Encouragement to Williams
The Vikings, who faced the Bears in 2024, saw firsthand the struggles of the Chicago organization, particularly in developing young quarterbacks. By the time the Vikings played the Bears, Matt Eberflus had already been fired, marking a tumultuous period in Chicago’s franchise history.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell empathized with Williams during this challenging time. Following an overtime victory at Soldier Field, O’Connell left Williams with words of encouragement, acknowledging his talent and resilience despite difficult circumstances.
O’Connell’s leadership has served as an example for Chicago, as they seek to establish a stable environment for Williams’ growth. His focus on supporting young quarterbacks and providing a nurturing system is something the Bears are clearly looking to emulate with their new offensive-minded head coach.
“I just think as a whole, there’s not enough emphasis put on the organization’s role in the development of the position,” O’Connell said. “Organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations… It’s important to understand that every single one of these guys is on a journey.”
The Bears are betting on Johnson to guide Williams to reach his potential, and while the future looks bright, there’s no guarantee it will come together as smoothly as it did in Detroit.