Chicago Bears: No Way – We Are Not Making the Same Mistake; OC Ben Johnson Will Never Be the Head Coach.
The Chicago Bears are reportedly taking a firm stance on their head coaching search, with sources inside the organization signaling that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will not be under consideration for the role. The decision comes amid speculation over the Bears’ plans to reshape their coaching staff after another disappointing season.
“History won’t repeat itself,” a team insider reportedly stated, referencing Chicago’s previous struggles with first-time head coaches. The Bears are adamant about not gambling on another untested candidate, even one as highly regarded as Johnson. Known for masterminding the Lions’ high-powered offense, Johnson has quickly become one of the hottest names in NFL coaching circles. However, the Bears appear wary of falling into the same trap they did with former head coach Matt Nagy.
Nagy, a former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, was hired in 2018 with high expectations but failed to deliver consistent results, ultimately being dismissed after four seasons. Many see parallels between Nagy’s hire and Johnson’s potential candidacy, given their shared backgrounds as promising offensive minds without prior head coaching experience.
For Chicago, the priority is to find a coach with proven success at the NFL level. Team ownership is said to be focused on leaders with experience managing entire teams rather than specialists in one phase of the game. This strategy reflects a shift in philosophy for a franchise eager to escape its reputation for instability.
While Johnson may ultimately land a head coaching job elsewhere, the Bears have made it clear he won’t be leading their sideline in 2024. For Chicago, the focus remains on building a sustainable, winning culture—starting with a head coach who brings both experience and leadership to a team in desperate need of direction.