In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Chicago Bears are reportedly set to hire Ben Johnson, the highly regarded offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, as their new head coach. This bold decision represents a significant shift in the Bears’ organizational philosophy, as they look to reset their franchise and build around their promising young quarterback, Justin Fields. Johnson, whose reputation has skyrocketed following Detroit’s resurgence on offense, is seen as the perfect candidate to unlock the full potential of the Bears’ offense and take the team back to playoff contention.
This hire is not only a statement of intent by the Bears but also a dramatic chapter in the growing rivalry between two NFC North teams with very different trajectories. While the Lions have begun to shed their reputation as perennial underachievers, the Bears, despite being one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied franchises, have struggled to find stability and success in recent years. With the hiring of Johnson, the Bears are signaling a new era—one that looks to put an end to their offensive woes and bring a fresh, modern approach to their football philosophy.
### Ben Johnson’s Rise: From Underdog to Hot Commodity
Before we delve into the potential impact of Ben Johnson’s hiring, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just how far he’s come in such a short period. Johnson, who was hired as Detroit’s offensive coordinator in 2021, quickly proved himself to be one of the brightest young minds in the game. In just two seasons, he helped turn the Lions’ offense from one of the least productive units in the league into a high-flying, explosive group capable of competing with the NFL’s best.
What makes Johnson’s rise so impressive is the context in which it occurred. When he arrived in Detroit, the team was in the midst of a rebuilding phase under head coach Dan Campbell. Detroit was coming off a 3-13-1 season, and there were few expectations for a quick turnaround. However, Johnson quickly made his mark by implementing an offense that featured creative play designs, a balanced attack, and, perhaps most importantly, a commitment to developing quarterback Jared Goff into a more efficient signal caller.
In 2022, under Johnson’s guidance, the Lions’ offense saw significant improvement. The team finished in the top-10 in total offense and was particularly lethal in the passing game, where Goff enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. What was particularly striking about Johnson’s approach was his ability to maximize the strengths of his players, using clever scheming to free up star wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
As the 2023 season progressed, Johnson’s work continued to speak for itself. The Lions’ offense remained one of the NFL’s most efficient units, and despite the team still being in the midst of its rebuilding process, Detroit was regularly posting high-scoring performances. This success didn’t go unnoticed, and by midseason, Johnson was already being touted as one of the most coveted head coaching candidates in the league.
The Bears, who have been searching for a solution to their offensive struggles for years, didn’t waste any time in securing Johnson’s services. His innovative mindset and ability to coach up young quarterbacks made him an ideal candidate to lead the Bears’ franchise into the future, especially with Justin Fields still developing as their starting quarterback.
### The Bears’ Search for a New Identity
The hiring of Ben Johnson marks a dramatic shift for the Bears, who have spent the last several years caught in a cycle of underperformance, particularly on offense. The team has struggled to find consistency at quarterback, and their inability to build a competent offensive system has been a major reason for their lack of success since the early 2000s.
Justin Fields, the Bears’ young quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been hindered by a lack of quality offensive coaching and talent around him. Fields’ dual-threat abilities make him one of the most electrifying players in the NFL, but his development has been stunted by a disjointed offensive scheme and an inability to surround him with adequate receiving talent.
Johnson’s hiring is a clear signal that the Bears are committed to building around Fields and turning him into the franchise quarterback they believe he can be. The addition of Johnson, known for his ability to design offenses that make the most of a quarterback’s strengths, could be the catalyst for Fields’ development. If Johnson can replicate the success he had with Goff in Detroit, it would not be a stretch to imagine Fields blossoming into one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
What also makes Johnson an attractive hire for the Bears is his ability to create balanced offenses. During his tenure in Detroit, Johnson was able to blend a potent passing attack with a strong running game, led by the versatile Jamaal Williams and the emerging star, Jahmyr Gibbs. This balance helped the Lions become one of the league’s top offensive units, and it’s exactly what the Bears need.
In Fields, the Bears have a quarterback capable of making plays with his arm and legs, and Johnson’s schemes could allow the team to leverage both of those strengths. A healthy mix of run-pass options (RPOs), play-action, and quick passing schemes would make the most of Fields’ abilities, while also utilizing the team’s talented but underutilized running back room.
### The Rivalry with the Lions: A New Dynamic in the NFC North
While the Bears’ decision to hire Ben Johnson represents a fresh start for the team, it also sets the stage for an intriguing rivalry with the Detroit Lions, a division foe that has long been seen as an afterthought in the NFC North. Under Johnson’s offensive genius, the Lions have begun to show signs of becoming a legitimate contender, while the Bears have floundered, unable to find their way. But with Johnson now headed to Chicago, the rivalry between these two teams will take on a new dimension.
The Bears and Lions are both in similar spots, with young quarterbacks (Fields and Goff) and new head coaches (Johnson in Chicago, Campbell in Detroit) trying to take their teams to the next level. The NFC North has historically been dominated by the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, but with both teams in transition, the Bears and Lions may now emerge as the division’s new powerhouses.
Johnson’s familiarity with the Lions’ personnel could also play into the Bears’ hands. Having spent the last couple of seasons studying the Lions’ offense inside and out, Johnson will likely have a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his former team. As the Bears and Lions face off in the years ahead, this knowledge could be a game-changer for Chicago, giving them a leg up in an increasingly competitive division.
### The Bottom Line: A Game-Changing Hire for the Bears
Ben Johnson’s arrival in Chicago marks the beginning of what the Bears hope will be a new chapter in their storied franchise history. His innovative approach to offense, his ability to develop young quarterbacks, and his knack for creating balanced, high-scoring offenses make him an ideal choice to lead this team back to prominence. With Justin Fields still developing and a promising young core around him, the Bears’ future looks brighter than it has in years.
If Johnson can replicate the success he had in Detroit and help Fields reach his full potential, the Bears could quickly become a formidable force in the NFC North. Johnson’s hiring is not just about bringing in a head coach—it’s about instilling a new identity in a franchise that has long been mired in mediocrity. This is the kind of bold move that could change the course of the Bears’ future, and fans in Chicago are hoping that Ben Johnson’s tenure as head coach will finally deliver the offensive juggernaut they’ve been waiting for.