Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson surprised people when he decided to stay in Detroit for the 2024 season after being a solid head coach candidate. He’ll be a hot candidate in 2025. Could a potential landing spot be with an NFC North rival?
Sources told Chicago media’s Dan McNeil that there are four coaches currently on the wish list for the Chicago Bears to fill their head coach vacancy after they fired Matt Eberflus on Black Friday. Those coaches include Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel…and one Ben Johnson. McNeil notes the Bears want to talk to more candidates, but these four are among their top targets.
The Bears cannot interview current coaches until after the regular season and depending on those teams’ success in the playoffs. Vrabel can interview whenever he wants since he is not coaching this season. Theoretically, the Bears could hire Vrabel today if they wanted to.
A case could certainly be made for Johnson in Chicago. The Bears may want to strongly consider an offensive-minded head coach to develop Caleb Williams after the rookie’s struggles this season, though the environment and coaching staff didn’t help. Shane Waldron flamed out in Chicago and Thomas Brown didn’t fare well in his first game as interim head coach. Williams threw for just 134 yards and the Bears only scored 13 points in their 38-13 loss Sunday to the 49ers. One could argue Johnson could have the magic to get Williams back into form and make Chicago a formidable offense.
Time will tell if a team plucks Johnson away this offseason, but the interest will undoubtedly be there.