Ben Johnson to Chicago: The Coaching Move That Will Bring the Bears Back to the Playoffs
- Jake Barkin
- Jan 22
- 4 min read
With only three games left in the NFL season, the twenty-eight other eliminated teams have already begun their offseasons in preparation for the upcoming 2025 NFL regular season. While some teams work on improving their weak rosters or try to recover from losing key players, the Chicago Bears have already made a massive step in the right direction by hiring Lions former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach.
After being promoted to offensive coordinator by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL season, the Lions significantly improved as the team finished 9-8 just a season after going 3-13-1. While many people credit head coach Dan Campbell for single-handedly flipping the Lions into a good team by changing their culture, I give most of the credit to Ben Johnson for turning a boring and inefficient offence into one of the best units in the league. Moreover, the 2023 NFL season was truly the season where Ben Johnson put everyone on notice. After a successful offseason as the Lions used their first-round draft pick on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Ben Johnson had a room full of talented players and expectations on him and his offence were as high as it has ever been in Detroit. Fortunately, Ben Johnson utilized his strong offensive line to both run the ball effectively but also give Lions quarterback Jared Goff enough time to make impressive throws too. Last season, Ben Johnson simplified Goff’s role and allowed players such as wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, rookie tight end Sam Laporta, and the talented running duo David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to collectively carry the workload which ended up being a massive success. Not only did the Lions clinch the NFC North in back-to-back seasons, but they statistically had the best offence in the NFL in both seasons due to the mastermind play calling of Ben Johnson.
Johnson’s immediate success after two seasons as offensive coordinator put the league on notice as many teams were desperate to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach to repeat the same success he had in Detroit. However, a magical run in 2023 to the NFC championship was too much for Johnson to leave yet and wanted to return for at least another season to try to win the Lions a Super Bowl. As mentioned previously, the Lions 2024 repeated their success as they both clinched the NFC North while simultaneously having the top-ranked offence in the NFL. The Lions this season truly changed from an underdog hero that everyone loves to a true contender that all teams in the NFL should be feared to play against. Ben Johnson’s success in 2024 led the Lions to a franchise-best 15-2 regular season record cementing Ben Johnson’s legacy in Detroit forever. However, the Lions tragically embarrassingly ended their season this past Saturday as they lost to the Washington Commanders by a score of 45-31. Ben Johnson was let down after he led the Lions to 31 points while the defense was embarrassing in another brutal playoff loss.
Even while the Lions were still in the playoffs, many teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars were busy recruiting Ben Johnson in hopes of hiring him as their team’s next head coach. Unfortunately for them, Ben Johnson surprised many by staying in the competitive NFC North and going to the worst team in the division the Chicago Bears who have had a terrible 2024 regular season. While the Bears have failed to make the playoffs since 2020, the primary reason for their continuous failure is their inability to find a good head coach and more importantly a successful play-caller. However, hiring Ben Johnson will completely change things for the Bears the same way Ben Johnson improved the Lions offence. To explain, Ben Johnson had the option to be the head coach of most teams in the NFL yet Johnson decided to remain in the hardest division in the NFL proving he is confident that he can immediately turn the Bears into contenders next season. With Ben Johnson now coaching a team that gave up the most sacks in the NFL, he will be challenged heavily in trying to improve his new offense as Johnson’s coaching gameplan on the Lions heavily relied on a strong offensive line which the Bears currently do not have whatsoever. Many people are questioning Ben Johnson’s decision to move to Chicago and whether he can truly make an impact for the Bears.
However, I believe that Ben Johnson will immediately repeat the success he had with the Lions on the Bears. While many believe Ben Johnson is truly walking into a dumpster fire, the Bears already have many talented offensive players and are just one successful offseason away from fixing their issues on their offensive line. With the Bears using the first overall pick last year on USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears already have their franchise quarterback and have most of Caleb’s supporting cast with talented receivers D.J. Moore and Roman Odunze under contract for a long time. Bears running back D'Andre Swift has proved that he can succeed with a strong offensive line as he had an incredible 2023 season with the Eagles. With the Bears defence already strong, Ben Johnson will make the playoffs in his first season as head coach if the Bears can make strong improvements this offseason. With focusing on drafting and signing an offensive lineman, a starting tight end, and depth on the defence, I am truly behind Ben Johnson and in complete support that he will return the Bears back to the playoffs in his first season as head coach in Chicago.
That is it for this offseason update. Let me know what your thoughts are on the Chicago Bears new hire and if you believe the Bears can make the playoffs next season. Comment down below who you believe will win the NFC North in 2025. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s article as I will be breaking down and recapping the intense AFC divisional round playoff games. Stay updated by following the official X account of Blitz & Brawlers and try out our brand-new quiz!
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