The Chicago Bears, now 4-3, are reeling from a tough 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8 on a last-second Hail Mary. Head coach Matt Eberflus, who has a 14-27 record in his three-year tenure, faces mounting pressure to turn things around as the team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance.
Recent reports reveal that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, known for his innovative offense, was interested in the Bears head coaching position during the last hiring cycle.
Johnson’s impact on Detroit’s offense this season is evident; the Lions rank first in points per game (33.4) and are sixth in total offense, fueling speculation that Johnson could have elevated the Bears if given the chance.
Bears fans and analysts are now questioning whether GM Ryan Poles made a mistake in sticking with Eberflus instead of pursuing Johnson.
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With Johnson’s offensive vision and the potential addition of a high-profile quarterback like Caleb Williams in the future, many believe he could have launched a new, competitive era for the Bears.
For now, however, Chicago remains committed to Eberflus, though questions linger about how this decision will affect the team’s success and future coaching opportunities.
Ben Johnson joined the Detroit Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach. He quickly advanced, becoming the tight ends coach in 2020 and later, pass game coordinator in 2021 after Anthony Lynn’s play-calling responsibilities were removed.
In February 2022, Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator, leading Detroit’s offense to a top-five finish and setting a franchise record with eight games scoring over 30 points.
Although he received head coaching interest after 2023, Johnson chose to stay with Detroit for the 2024 season, solidifying his reputation as a rising coaching star.
