Ben Johnson officially named Chicago Bears head coach
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears officially announced Ben Johnson as the team's head coach, according to a statement from the organization on Tuesday.
Johnson, 38, is the 19th head coach in the franchise's 105-year history. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions since 2022.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles called Johnson "a proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation."
"A progressive offensive mind, Ben’s plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear," Poles said. "Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success."
What they're saying:
Johnson along with other members of the Chicago Bears organization released statements Tuesday afternoon after his appointment as head coach became official.
Ben Johnson ‘honored' to lead Bears
"The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase," said Chicago
Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson. "Having been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about
this city and their team, and I am honored to be their Head Coach.
"I am excited to partner with Ryan and the entire organization as we work to create a championship-caliber program. We are ready to get to work," Johnson said.
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren calls Johnson a passionate leader
"Ben is meticulous about the details, doing what is right for the betterment of the greater being, and motivated to push the limits of whatever is required to become a champion," Warren said in a statement.
"We have been blessed with the greatest, most revered responsibility in sports – provide the best fans in the world with championship-level execution in everything that we do. Today, we take our next step in that pursuit. As we embark on the next chapter of our storied franchise, we are energized by what lies ahead."
Bears chairman excited for Johnson's leadership
"We are elated to welcome Ben and his family to the Bears and the greatest city in the world," said Chicago Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey. "Ben’s leadership, poise, preparation and detail are evident. We certainly appreciate the first-class manner in which he approached this process. We are excited to see him lead our Bears."
Mutual adoration between Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson
Quarterback Caleb Williams and Johnson exchanged praise for each other earlier this season.
"I think it’s been really cool to watch," Williams said two weeks ago when the Bears cleaned out their lockers. "During our game, I would sit back and watch and try and learn something. It was fascinating to watch. He had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game."
Johnson had strong praise for Williams before the Bears faced the Lions in Week 16.
"There’s no question that this guy is talented. I remember standing on the sideline last game and you can hear the ball whistle by you," Johnson said.
"He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him, can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well. Like I said, I haven’t really dove in and can tell you much more beyond that, but he’s been impressive from afar."
By the numbers:
In three seasons with Ben Johnson calling plays, Detroit ranked in the top-five in scoring each of those years. The Lions finished fifth in 2022 and 2023 and first in 2024 at 33.2 PPG. The Lions last led the NFL in scoring in the 1954 season. The Lions’ 28.2 offensive PPG from 2022-24 were the most in the NFL.
It isn't just points, either. In the three seasons with Johnson calling plays, the Lions had 230 plays that went for 20 yards or more. Only San Francisco had more such plays.
Prior to Detroit, Johnson spent seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he served in various coaching roles including tight ends coach, assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach.
The Asheville, North Carolina native was a walk-on quarterback at the University of North Carolina.
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How we got here
The backstory:
The move comes after a season in which the Bears fired Matt Eberflus last November following a disastrous late-game loss against Johnson's Lions on Thanksgiving. Eberflus was the first head coach in franchise history fired in the middle of the season.
In his Bears tenure, Eberflus never made the playoffs, never had a winning season and never beat the Green Bay Packers. Bears general manager Ryan Poles famously said the Bears will "Take the North and never give it back." Eberflus' first NFC North win came on Nov. 27, 2023.
Hired as a defensive guru with an attention to detail that stressed fundamentals at the beginning of a full-on rebuild, Eberflus was tasked with reinvigorating a Bears defense that had lost its edge. The Bears rose to the status of a top-10 defense in 2023, but never regained that form in 2024.
There were also off-the-field issues that loomed over the Bears, such as the eight different coaches Eberflus fired from the time he took over as head coach until when he fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in November 2024, just 11 months after he hired Waldron to replace offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Bears fans react
Dig deeper:
Johnson's success as the Lions’ offensive coordinator has many Bears fans hopeful for a fresh start.
"I love it," said Wilma Jackson. "We need someone like Ben."
However, some fans, like Dayton Kelly, are more cautious.
"If you were a great offensive coordinator, which we've seen last year, that doesn't mean you'll be a good coach," said Kelly.
Die-hard fans believe the Bears need two key qualities in a head coach: a clear vision for the team and the ability to develop quarterback Caleb Williams.
Life-long Bears Fan Dino Miller from Waukegan says Johnson is a players coach and team dynamics will be strengthened.
"You see what they did with him in Detroit, how they were all behind him. If he gives his all, I think we're gonna go deep," said Miller.
Chicago Bears broadcaster Mark Grote offered mixed feelings on the hire.
Grote acknowledged Johnson’s potential as a "game changer" but also highlighted the unknowns.
"There’s a lot we don’t know," he said.
The Source: The information in this story came from our previous reporting, The Associated Press and interviews with Bears fans and analysts.