CHICAGO (WGN) — The Chicago Bears are hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter reported the Bears are finalizing a deal to make Johnson their new head coach as of Monday afternoon. Priority Sports, the sports agency who represents Johnson, announced he was named the next head coach of the Bears later that evening.
The move, while stunning, is one that is viewed almost universally as a home run hire for Chicago around the NFL, and puts an exhaustive head coaching search to bed that featured interviews with at least 17 candidates heading into Monday morning.
Johnson became available for hire after Detroit’s upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round Saturday night.
Ben Johnson’s Background
*The following passage is excerpted from the WGN News Bears Coaching Tracker.
Johnson previously served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator for the last three seasons and was arguably the most highly sought-after coaching candidate in the 2025 hiring cycle.
“I think Ben’s a rock star, man,” Campbell said. “He’s a young guy, but he’s kind of gone a little longer, harder road to get to where he’s at. He’s been around some really good coaches, now, some guys who have coached some pretty good quarterbacks. Just being around Mike Sherman when I was with him down there (in Miami). Joe Philbin, who was with (Aaron) Rodgers. Then he’s with (Adam) Gase, who had (Peyton) Manning and those guys.
“So he understands quarterback play well. He was with Zac Taylor, who was with me in Miami. We were all together there in Miami. So, he understands it well.”
Detroit finished the 2024 season as the top scoring offense in football at 33.2 points per game, while also gaining the second-most total yards (6,962) behind the Baltimore Ravens (7,224). Their 39 TD passes ranked fourth in the NFL, while their 29 TD runs was tied for the second-most with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2023, Johnson’s offense ranked near the top of the NFL in several major categories, including second in passing offense, third in total offense and fifth in both rushing offense and points per game.
Johnson’s play-calling acumen also caught the eye of Caleb Williams — to the point the Bears’ prized rookie quarterback paid attention to the Lions when they have faced other opponents, and was taking notice mid-game against Detroit.
“Yeah, I think even watching last night, knowing kind of what they’re going to be in a certain situation, and being able to go out there and execute like the pass they threw to Jahmyr [Gibbs] on Van Ginkel,” Williams said last week. “Just knowing that you know how he’s going to play it, and things like that. And then go and kind of counter. I think he’s done things. He’s done that all year. And I think it’s been really cool to watch.
“I think during our game, I would sit back and just kind of watch and try and learn something. And I was fascinated to watch, because he always, like I said, he had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game. And so I think he’s done really well. And so, you know, [it’ll] be cool to see how that all goes down.”
Before the Lions traveled to play in Chicago on Dec. 22, Johnson was asked about what he thought of Williams and the respect seemed mutual between the two.
“It’s been difficult to sit down and just study every throw, but plenty of crossover tape over the course of the year and there’s no question this guy is talented,” Johnson said. “I remember standing on the sideline last game and you could hear the ball whistle by you. He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him. He can extend plays and is accurate down the field as well … He’s been impressive from afar.”
In two losses to Detroit this season, Williams played some of his best ball. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 46-for-79 with 590 yards passing and five TD passes to no interceptions. He also notched 10 carries for 73 yards rushing.
Johnson begins search to assemble coaching staff
Shortly after announcing Chicago was finalizing a deal with Johnson, Schefter also tweeted that former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is a leading candidate to become Johnson’s defensive coordinator.
