The Chicago Bears have landed their new head coach. Former offensive coordinator of THE NFC North rival Detroit Lions, Ben Johnson, has agreed to lead the Bears.. Johnson may have been the top coaching candidate available this offseason for the six teams looking to fill their vacancy. In the past few seasons, he proved his offensive creative genius with the Lions calling trick plays and schemes, leaving defenders baffled. The question becomes, is the right coach for the Chicago Bears? What is expected from the Bears in the future in a brutal NFC North? Will Johnson see success as a head coach?
Is Johnson the Right Man For the Job?
When everyone, their mothers, and Tom Brady think Ben Johnson will be the next coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson throws a curveball. Welcomed by a standing ovation in the Bears’ facility, he said, “This is where we wanted to be!” This was not only a shock to NFL fans but seemed to be a knife in the back of all Detroit Lions fans. Especially since it was so fresh off of the disappointing way the Lions ended this season. One Lions fan described it as “The bodies still being warm!”
He will now battle Dan Campbell and his former team twice a year for the foreseeable future. Even though the NFC North went 0-3 in the playoffs this season, it was arguably the most competitive division in football. Ben Johnson is an amazing play-caller, but does he have what it takes to be a head coach?
Bears fans may enjoy seeing hook-and-ladders, reverses, flea flickers, and hell they may get used to linemen trying to catch touchdown passes. It takes a particular personality to handle the head coaching role of an NFL franchise. Will he flourish or be another coordinator like Josh McDaniels or Jim Schwartz? They are better suited to stay in a coordinator role.
What the Bears Provide For Johnson
The Chicago Bears are on the verge of becoming very good. The offense has a ton of weapons for second-year Quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams showed glimpses of superstardom in his rookie season but was humbled at times learning this isn’t college anymore. They have plenty of weapons that the offensive-minded Johnson should have a ball with.
The combination of receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet with running backs D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson give the new head coach plenty of toys to play with. The Bears also have nine total draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft including 10th overall. They must address their weak offensive line and their bottom-third defense this offseason. The franchise has never had a 4,000-yard passer throughout history, lets see if the new coach can unlock Williams’ potential and make him the first.
Final Thoughts
As a Detroit native and a passionate Lions fan this hiring stings a bit. Coming off a dismal game and the expectation the Lions had this season, then almost 48 hours later Ben Johnson has a new home with a divisional rival. It has the people in Detroit wondering if the team was prepared for the Washington Commanders or if there was a lack of focus.
Even Tom Brady on the broadcast was gassing up Johnson as if it was a lock that he would be the Raiders next head coach. The Bears will make the gauntlet that is the NFC North even tougher next season. The transition from coordinator to head coach is a big jump that many don’t succeed in. It should be interesting if Johnson will be able to bring success to the city of Chicago they haven’t seen in quite some time.
