The Chicago Bears have officially named Ben Johnson the new head coach. This signals the official beginning of a new era for the organization. Johnson is seen as one of the most talented offensive minds in football, and he now has his work cut out for him as he looks to turn around a team that has been inconsistent for the past several years.
Johnson began his coaching career at Boston College as a graduate assistant in 2009 in different offensive roles like assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach before moving to the Miami Dolphins in 2012. He then moved to the Detroit Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022.
Under his leadership, the Lions’ offense was in the top five for consecutive years and led the league in 2024. His innovative play-calling and ability to maximize talent earned him the 2024 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award. His work with Jared Goff also solidified his reputation as a quarterback guru—an ability that undoubtedly attracted the Bears.
The Bears had an interest in Johnson during the previous hiring cycle, but he chose to stay in Detroit. This time, Chicago made him their top target in the 2025 offseason. With the franchise selecting Caleb Williams as their quarterback of the future, they prioritized an offensive-minded coach to develop him.
To add to his impressive resume, Johnson is known as a culture builder, the type of mentor Chicago needed after decades of chaos. His ability to create a dynamic offense and instill trust in his players made him the ideal selection for a team searching for a new identity.
With Johnson at the helm, the Bears expect to make major offense improvements. He has brought in a quality coaching staff, including highly respected Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, and has poached several assistants from Detroit to provide continuity for his system. His impact could be a game-changer for Williams, enabling the rookie quarterback to unleash his full potential.
Bears ownership praised Johnson’s vision, while players have expressed excitement about his offensive approach. Fans, eager for change, have taken to social media with optimism, hoping this hire finally brings stability.
Turning around the Bears won’t be easy. Johnson must fix a struggling offense, build a winning culture, and compete in a tough NFC North—against the very Lions team he helped create.
