Ben Johnson may once again be one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates in the NFL this offseason. For the second consecutive year, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator chose to remain with the team, despite interviewing for several head coaching positions.
His decision to stay put has paid off, as Johnson has further enhanced his reputation by orchestrating a high-powered Lions offense that has led the team to an impressive 11-1 record. Detroit currently leads the league in scoring, averaging 31.9 points per game, solidifying Johnson’s credentials as a top offensive mind in the NFL.
The Lions’ recent success also inadvertently contributed to a coaching change within their division. On Thanksgiving, Detroit snapped a seven-game losing streak on the holiday with a hard-fought 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. The loss was another heartbreaking setback for Chicago, marred by a costly late-game time-management mistake that ultimately led to the Bears firing head coach Matt Eberflus.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears could now turn their attention to Johnson as they search for a new head coach. Schefter mentioned on “Sunday NFL Countdown” that Chicago might be one of the teams eager to pursue the Lions’ offensive coordinator for their newly vacant position.
“Everybody’s gonna have their eyes on Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator, and I think he might have some interest in that job,” Schefter said regarding the Bears. “We’ll see if they can convince him to come to Chicago.”
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The Bears’ decision to fire Eberflus marked the first in-season head coach dismissal in franchise history.
With Chicago’s record falling to 4-8, frustration reached a boiling point after another narrow loss, exacerbated by the Bears’ failure to call a crucial timeout as valuable seconds slipped away in the final moments.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, coaching the Bears—one of the NFL’s most storied franchises—remains an attractive opportunity, especially with the potential to work with promising young quarterback Caleb Williams, who is projected as a top draft pick.
Chicago will likely have a number of candidates on their radar this offseason. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported that the Bears are expected to consider Ben Johnson for the head coaching role. In addition to Johnson, Rapoport mentioned other potential candidates, including Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Each of these individuals brings a unique background and skill set that could appeal to the Bears’ front office.
For now, Thomas Brown will serve as the Bears’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Brown, a former NFL running back, was recently promoted to offensive coordinator after Chicago dismissed Shane Waldron last month.
He will have five games to make his case for a more permanent role, but his audition will be challenging, as Chicago faces a tough schedule filled with NFC playoff contenders. One notable game on the schedule is a Week 16 rematch with the Lions at Soldier Field, which will give both Brown and the Bears a chance to show what they can do against one of the league’s top teams.
Meanwhile, Ben Johnson’s immediate focus will be on maintaining the Lions’ strong form and preparing for a potential deep playoff run.
With Detroit currently sitting atop the NFC North and aiming for a Super Bowl appearance, Johnson will be hoping that any discussions about future job opportunities can be put off until February. His success with the Lions has not only boosted his stock as a coaching candidate but has also made him a key figure in Detroit’s quest for their first Super Bowl title.
As the offseason approaches, Johnson’s name will undoubtedly be one to watch, and the Bears, along with other teams in need of a new head coach, will be lining up to make their pitch.
For now, Lions fans can enjoy the success their team has found under his guidance, even as other franchises begin to take notice of the man behind one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
