Ben Johnson Named Chicago Bears Head Coach, Set to Develop Caleb Williams
Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, has agreed to become the next head coach of the Chicago Bears, a source familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday. The deal is still being finalized, but Johnson’s hiring marks his first head coaching position in the NFL.
A New Chapter for Ben Johnson
Johnson, 38, was widely regarded as the top candidate on the coaching market after his impressive three-year run with the Lions, where he worked under head coach Dan Campbell. Prior to joining Detroit in 2019, Johnson spent seven years as an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins.
Johnson’s success with the Lions offense has been a key factor in the team’s rise. Under his guidance, quarterback Jared Goff threw for over 4,400 yards in each of the past three seasons, earning two Pro Bowl selections during that stretch. The Lions finished the regular season as NFC’s top seed, leading the league in points per game and ranking second in both passing yards and total yards.
A Focus on Caleb Williams
As head coach of the Bears, Johnson’s primary task will be to develop young quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams had an impressive rookie campaign, throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions, though he was sacked a record-breaking 68 times.
Williams has already expressed admiration for Johnson’s work with the Lions. “I think it’s been really cool to watch,” Williams said when reflecting on the Bears’ 2023 season. “During our game, I would sit back and try to learn something. It was fascinating to watch… He had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game.”
Johnson, too, has been vocal about Williams’ talent. Before the Bears’ Week 16 matchup against the Lions, he praised Williams for his arm strength and ability to extend plays. “He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him. He’s accurate down the field as well,” Johnson noted. “He’s been impressive from afar.”
Bears’ Struggles and Johnson’s Challenge
The Bears had a challenging season, finishing with a 5-12 record and firing head coach Matt Eberflus on November 29. Thomas Brown stepped in as interim coach, but the team still struggled, losing 10 consecutive games before closing the season with a win at Green Bay. The Bears’ performance has been disappointing under general manager Ryan Poles, who’s overseen a 15-36 record in three seasons, including two double-digit losing streaks.
Despite a strong start to the 2023 season, the Bears faltered. With high-profile offseason acquisitions, including Williams and a trade for six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, expectations were high. However, after starting 4-2, the Bears fell apart. The firing of Eberflus marked the team’s first-ever midseason coaching change, and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron also lost his job after just nine games.
Fans became increasingly frustrated, culminating in chants of “Sell the team!” during their final home game of the season against Seattle.
Bears’ Coaching Search and Future Prospects
The Bears conducted an extensive search for their new head coach, interviewing 17 candidates, including notable names like former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, ex-Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
Johnson now becomes the sixth head coach for the Bears since 2010, following in the footsteps of Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman, John Fox, Matt Nagy, and Eberflus. The team has not won a postseason game since 2010, and their last Super Bowl appearance came in 2006.
As Johnson takes the helm, he will have the critical task of turning around a franchise with a rich history but recent struggles, focusing on the development of Williams and restoring hope for the Bears’ long-suffering fan base.
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