Tag: Ben Johnson

Nick Sirianni could join group of highest-paid NFL coaches with Super Bowl win over Chiefs

Nick Sirianni could become one of the highest-paid NFL coaches with a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs

Nick Sirianni is one of the most accomplished head coaches in NFL history. Through his first four seasons, he has become one of the most accomplished coaches in the league. Just hours before Super Bowl LIX kicks off, the Eagles’ top guy is in line to make millions with a win.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one of the lowest-paid head coaches is in line for a significant pay raise with a win over Andy Reid.

Siriani makes $7 million per season and is one of the lowest-paid NFL head coaches. He initially signed a five-year, $35 million deal in January 2021 that is set to expire after the 2025 season.

Sirianni, 43, is 48-20 in the regular season over his four years with the Eagles and has led Philadelphia to the Super Bowl in two of the last three years. Eagles CEO Jeff Lurie told reporters this week that Siriani “has done a phenomenal job” and called him “an incredible leader.”

Owner Jeffrey Lurie had this to say when asked about Sirianni during Super Bowl opening night.

“His future is going to be great,” Lurie said Monday. “We never talk about contracts or whatever publicly in 30 years, so I’m not going to start now. But he’s great.”

Sirianni is the first Super Bowl-era head coach to make the playoffs in their first four career seasons while reaching the Super Bowl multiple times (also Super Bowl LVII). He is the only Eagles’ head coach to advance to two Super Bowls and the second to appear in numerous NFL championship games (Greasy Neale from 1947-49).

Overall, Sirianni is the fifth Super Bowl Era head coach to earn postseason berths in their first four career years at the helm, joining. John Harbaugh (2008-11 Ravens), Bill Cowher (1992-95 Steelers), John Robinson (1983-86 Rams) and Chuck Knox (1973-76 Rams).

Ben Johnson wins AP Assistant Coach of the Year

Former Lions OC Ben Johnson wins AP Assistant Coach of the Year for his work in Detroit in 2024

Ben Johnson is taking home some hardware from New Orleans for his work this season. The former offensive coordinator for the Lions won the award for Assistant Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors Thursday. Johnson received 29 first-place votes.

Johnson led the Lions to the No. 2 ranked offense during the season behind only the Baltimore Ravens. They were the only two teams to average at least 400 yards per game during the regular season.

Johnson has since taken over as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears but he will always be remembered as a key contributor to the Lions’ turnaround and helping the Lions win 15 games this season.

Johnson beat out his former fellow assistant coach Aaron Glenn, who is now head coach of the New York Jets. Also up for the award were Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Ben Johnson’s Bears staff filling up with former Saints coaches

The New Orleans Saints will have another former coach of theirs joining the Chicago Bears, this time an offensive line coach:

The New Orleans Saints will have another former member of their staff heading off to a new team this offseason, as their prior offensive line coach among other positions Dan Roushar is heading to the Chicago Bears for the same role. Roushar was with the Saints from 2013 to 2022 and filled a variety of roles as the running backs coach, offensive line coach, tight ends coach and run game coordinator at various points throughout his tenure.

Roushar will join a Bears staff under Ben Johnson that has already added former Saints in Dennis Allen, Declan Doyle, and Bill Johnson in recent weeks, and has built a respectable group to bring the team back from some tough seasons. The Saints continue their search for a new head coach with Kellen Moore being the current favorite, who will have to flesh out a new assistant coaching staff of his own.

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ESPN details how Ben Johnson landed with the Chicago Bears

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin details how former Lions OC Ben Johnson landed with the Chicago Bears as their head coach

“I want this job!” Those were the first words former Lions offensive coordinator and new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson told team chairman George McCaskey during his interview for the position, according to a story from Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Cronin detailed the interview process for Johnson and for the Bears that led to Johnson taking over the lead role in Chicago, which was officially announced on January 21. Johnson was one of 17 candidates to interview for the job, including former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and two coaches that landed jobs in other places, Mike Vrabel (Patriots) and Pete Carroll (Raiders).

Chicago first interviewed Johnson on January 11, during Detroit’s bye week in the playoffs. That allowed the Bears to set up a second interview with Johnson after Detroit’s season ended in the Divisional Round. The Bears, however, waited a bit out of respect to Johnson, allowing him time to recover after the Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders.

“The Bears’ contingent ultimately decided against making the trip, opting to let Johnson deal with the disappointment of losing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed,” wrote Cronin. “Johnson had spurned previous head coaching opportunities because he wanted to win a Super Bowl with Detroit, but now he knew he would be moving on.”

Chicago couldn’t wait too long, however. The Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly lurking and ready to strike for Johnson with a group that included minority owner, 7-time Super Bowl winner and Fox’s No. 1 game analyst Tom Brady.

“Though the Bears wanted to respect Johnson’s time and space, there also was a sense of urgency,” wrote Cronin. “There was a feeling Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was making a push for Johnson, and even if the Bears didn’t believe that to be true, there were other openings Johnson might consider. The Bears emphasized ‘culture and the quarterback’ during the interviews, according to someone familiar with the process, and they were convinced Johnson would excel on both counts, including maximizing Caleb Williams’ potential.”

Not only did Johnson seem to have the support of the top brass in Chicago, but the fans were also showing their strong support in wanting Johnson to come coach quarterback Caleb Williams.

According to Cronin’s story, Bears president Kevin Warren went to dinner with his wife, Greta, at Old Pueblo Cantina. Cronin wrote, “With the (Commanders-Lions) game on the bar’s big screen, Bears fan Chris Stein sent two shots of tequila to the Warrens with a note written by Stein’s girlfriend, Ryanne Braun.

“‘Kevin,

Please, hire Ben!!’

Warren responded by sending back two shots. Message received.”

Johnson reportedly received a five-year contract worth $13 million per year, a very high number for a first-year coach, but as Cronin noted in her story, the Bears weren’t “cutting corners” when it came to paying Johnson. His annual salary is more than double what the Bears were paying former head coach Matt Eberflus ($6 million).

Johnson is now tasked with working with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and an offense that ranked 26th in expected points added (EPA) per play, at -0.08. For reference, Johnson’s Lions ranked No. 3 in that category at 0.15. Only the Baltimore Ravens (0.21) and Buffalo Bills (0.18) fared better. Johnson had turned down head coaching positions in that, including the opening for the Carolina Panthers last offseason that ultimately went to Dave Canales. This is one he wanted and he’s eager and excited to get to work, especially with Williams.

“Having a quarterback helps,” Johnson said at his introductory press conference on January 22.

Johnson had blended youth and experience at the top of his coaching staff. Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen will be Johnson’s defensive coordinator while 28-year-old Declan Doyle, who spent the last two seasons as tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos, will be his offensive coordinator. Make no mistake about it, this is Johnson’s offense, but Doyle is considered a rising star in the coaching community. Johnson retained special teams coordinator Richard Hightower from Eberflus’ staff.

Detroit will sorely miss Johnson, but deep down, they knew it was his time. The Lions hired Broncos’ passing game coordinator John Morton as their new offensive coordinator. For Johnson, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime at a place Johnson is already familiar with. Not just because of the Lions’ rivalry with the Bears, but as Johnson said in his introductory press conference, “For the last 10-plus years, my family and I have been coming up for a Cubs series every summer. And it doesn’t take long to realize this place is special. These people are special.” In case you’re wondering, the Cubs visit the Tigers June 6-8.

A special place and a special opportunity for a special coach in Lions’ lore.

Dennis Allen credits new job to ‘a product of the same connections’

Ben Johnson began recruiting Dennis Allen late last year. Their shared connections to Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell may have played a big part in getting Allen to Chicago

Dennis Allen recently told Jay Glazer he felt worse for the young coaches under his leadership than himself after the New Orleans Saints fired him. Allen was confident his connections through his decade plus career would allow him to land on his feet.

It didn’t take long for Allen to land on his feet. He interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this offseason and was named the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator this week.

Allen credited landing in Chicago as “a product of the same connections.”

Ben Johnson came from the Detroit Lions alongside Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear Glenn and Campbell gave Allen a strong endorsement. They worked with each other for years in New Orleans.

Beyond just New Orleans, all he, Glenn and Campbell all been attended Texas A&M. As you look back to Allen’s comments to Glazer, you can assume these were the connections he was referencing.

Johnson felt so strongly about Allen as his potential defensive coordinator that he reached out to Allen before the regular season ended. Allen said, “At some point as we got later in the season, he reached out to me to see if I’d be interested.”

Allen’s comments to Glazer happened after Allen’s conversation with Johnson. With what we know now, it’s clear Allen was foreshadowing his next move. It was just too early to say too much.

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Darren Rizzi’s kickoff rules changes paid big dividends in 2024

Darren Rizzi pushed to change the kickoff rules in 2024, and the NFL was pleased with results. It resulted in longer kickoff returns, more touchdowns and fewer injuries:

Darren Rizzi is currently in the running for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy, but he will be a sought after special teams coordinator if he isn’t selected. Ben Johnson wasted no time calling Rizzi after becoming the Chicago Bears head coach, but he’s expected to reunite with Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos staff if the Saints don’t hire him as their own head coach.

The success and return of the kickoff is a great display of why other teams will be calling his phone, as well. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the NFL is pleased with the improvements made to the play in 2024 due to the change of procedure.

It was Rizzi who pushed the procedure through. Instead of the kicking team being allowed to start running with the kicker, they now stand at the 40 yard line and wait for the ball to be kicked before they can run. The result was more kickoff returns, longer returns on average and an increase in touchdowns. Touchbacks were moved up to the 30 yard line rather than the 25. Most importantly, there have been fewer injuries on kickoffs.

It’s interesting to see how Rizzi had the Saints approach this compared to their peers around the league. While they faced the second-most kick returns (57), they allowed the sixth-fewest yards gained per return (26.0). No defense in the NFL started with better average field position than the Saints, too (their own 27.2 yard line). Rizzi bet on his coverage unit stopping the returner short of the touchback marker, and he often won that gamble.

Rizzi’s proactiveness in getting this rule passed reflects well on his special teams acumen and is a reason teams will flock towards him if he hits the market.

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Former Commanders offensive coordinator is back in the NFL

Eric Bieniemy is back in the NFL.

Eric Bieniemy will return to Northwest Stadium in Landover next season.

Bieniemy, who was the offensive coordinator for the Commanders in one of the most forgettable and regrettable seasons in recent franchise history, has been hired by the Chicago Bears as their new running backs coach.

The former NFL running back played for the Chargers, Bengals and Eagles during his nine-year career from 1991-99.

The Kansas City Chiefs, having determined they would not re-sign Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator following the 2022 season, decided to bring back Matt Nagy to lead the offense.

So, then-Commanders head coach Ron Rivera swept in when no one else was making an offer and made Bieniemy his offensive coordinator.

During training camp, some unnamed respected veteran players came to Rivera to talk about Bieniemy. Rivera had already lost control of Bieniemy. Bieniemy didn’t help his case in his weekly press conferences, talking about how he was old school, wouldn’t change, etc.

He then had inexperienced quarterback Sam Howell leading the NFL in dropbacks during the 4-13 2023 season. To make matters worse, Bieniemy was 32nd in the NFL using play-action to help his struggling young quarterback.

NFL analyst Warren Sharp spoke directly regarding Bieniemy’s unproductive season, “They have no disguises to the defense; they don’t do anything to help their young quarterback. The defense is already playing the pass…as much as we know that Sam Howell struggled and is now gone, Eric Bieniemy did absolutely nothing to help Sam Howell, in my opinion.”

Bieniemy spent last season as UCLA’s offensive coordinator, and he was let go after one season, something his agent disputed. Ben Johnson, the Bears’ new head coach, hired him to coach the running backs.

Previously, Bieniemy served as an NFL running backs coach for the Vikings (2006-10) and the Chiefs (2013-17).

REPORT: Bears hiring former Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

According to a report, the Chicago #Bears are set to hire former Kansas City #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy to be their running backs coach.

According to a report from FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz on Saturday, the Chicago Bears are hiring former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as their new running backs coach.

Bieniemy spent nine years as a running backs coach and offensive coordinator with the Chiefs before moving to the nation’s capital to become the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Washington Commanders for the 2023 season.

After his stint with the Commanders, the two-time Super Bowl champion was named offensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the UCLA Bruins but was unfortunately relieved of his duties after the 2024 season.

Bieniemy was rumored to be a potential replacement for the Chiefs if Kansas City’s current offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy, sought a new position with another team in the offseason.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson is sure to benefit greatly from Bieniemy’s experience and leadership in his first season with Chicago.

NFL teams interested in Commanders coaching staff

That’s five coaches who’ve received interest from other teams — so far.

“Imitation  is the sincerest form of flattery.”

That’s the famous quote by Oscar Wilde, and since the NFL is a copycat league, that certainly holds true in the NFL as well.

However, in the NFL, your success might not only be imitated, but your coaching staff will undoubtedly be pursued.

After going from 4-13 to 12-5 in one season, the Commanders’ coaching staff is on the NFL’s radar. Everyone is suddenly eyeing the coaches and seeking interviews.

Just one year ago, Dan Quinn was announced as the Commanders’ new head coach, and many, yes, many in the Commanders’ fan base were calling Quinn a retread, a has-been, etc. But now, one year later, Quinn and his staff won 12 games, then two playoff games, and now they are in demand.

Before the NFC Championship game, there was talk of Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. being sought for head coach interviews.

This week, we already have news that three more members of Quinn’s staff have been requested for interviews. The Jacksonville Jaguars have interviewed Commanders’ quarterback coach Tavita Pritchard for their offensive coordinator position.

Word broke Thursday evening that Commanders assistant head coach and offensive passing game coordinator Brian Johnson is expected to interview with the Houston Texans for their now-vacant Offensive Coordinator position.

Two teams are reportedly interested in assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough. The Jets are interested in Blough for the quarterback coach position, and the Bears’ new head coach, Ben Johnson, recently hired from the Lions, wants Blough to be the Bears’ new passing game coordinator.

Five of Quinn’s coaching staff (that we know of) have been contacted. Quinn must be surprised at the rapid demand for his coaches.

Two NFL teams want to interview one of Commanders’ top young assistant coaches

Kliff Kingsbury is staying. Could one of his top young assistants head elsewhere?

Kliff Kingsbury is staying, but that hasn’t stopped other teams from trying to poach from head coach Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders’ staff.

According to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network, assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough is drawing interest from multiple teams. The New York Jets are interested in Blough for their QB coach vacancy, while the Chicago Bears wanted to speak to Blough for the passing game coordinator role.

It’s unclear if Blough will speak to those teams. The Jets and Bears have new head coaches, both from Detroit, where Blough spent three seasons as a quarterback (2019-21). New Jets coach Aaron Glenn spent one season as the defensive coordinator with Blough on the Lions’ roster, while new Bears coach Ben Johnson was with Blough for two seasons.

Blough also has a connection with Kingsbury. He played in Arizona during the 2022 season, Kingsbury’s last season as the Cardinals head coach. Kingsbury was impressed with Blough and quickly targeted him for a role on Washington’s staff. The Commanders were Blough’s first coaching job.

Head coach Dan Quinn, quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Kingsbury have all praised Blough at different times throughout the season. Daniels often competes with Blough after practice.

In addition to Kingsbury and Blough, Washington has assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator Brian Johnson and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard on staff.