The transition of Ben Johnson from offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions to head coach of the Chicago Bears has stirred a significant amount of fear and anxiety, particularly among fans and analysts of the NFC North. As the 2025 NFL season draws near, this change looms large over the Bears’ future, especially given the high expectations surrounding their quest for dominance in a highly competitive division. Johnson’s promotion represents a bold step for the Bears, who have been looking for the right leader to turn their franchise into a consistent contender. However, many still have lingering doubts and concerns regarding whether he is truly the right choice to lead the Bears into a new era of success. In this piece, we will explore the fears associated with Johnson’s transition to the Bears’ head coach, addressing questions of his readiness, his ability to adapt, and the cultural shifts needed to succeed in Chicago.
The Risk of an Unproven Head Coach
The most obvious concern surrounding Ben Johnson’s promotion to head coach of the Bears is that he is still relatively unproven in this role. Although he has had a successful tenure as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, he has never served as a head coach at any level, making this an ambitious and somewhat risky move for the Bears. It’s one thing to design and implement an offensive scheme as a coordinator, but leading an entire organization requires a diverse skill set that not every coach possesses, regardless of how successful they have been in a specialized role.
NFL teams that elevate unproven candidates to head coach positions frequently see mixed results. For every Sean McVay, who rapidly turned the Los Angeles Rams into a Super Bowl contender, there are many more coaches who struggle to make the transition from coordinator to head coach. The pressure of managing both the offense and defense, not to mention the myriad of off-field responsibilities, can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for someone like Johnson, who has yet to display a track record of managing an entire football team.
Ben Johnson’s rapid rise through the ranks—from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator—has been impressive, but there’s no way to predict whether he can handle the full spectrum of challenges that come with being a head coach. This gap in experience is a major source of concern for Bears fans, who have seen the consequences of hiring inexperienced leaders in the past, such as with Matt Nagy and Marc Trestman. There’s a fear that Johnson, despite his promising resume as a coordinator, may be too green to steer the Bears through the difficult and ever-changing landscape of the NFL.
The Challenge of Adapting to a New Environment
Another significant worry surrounding Johnson’s transition to head coach is his ability to adapt to the unique culture and challenges of coaching the Bears, especially when it comes to managing the team’s personnel and balancing the needs of a locker room that has been through constant turnover. The Bears have struggled in recent years, failing to make the playoffs since 2018, and are in the process of rebuilding their roster with a young quarterback, Justin Fields, at the center of their plans.
While Johnson has certainly proven himself as a gifted offensive mind, especially in his ability to get the best out of Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense, his ability to work with Fields remains one of the biggest questions. Fields is still in the early stages of his development, and Johnson will need to find ways to unlock his potential. The adjustment from coaching a veteran quarterback like Goff to working with an athletic but still developing QB like Fields could be a steep learning curve. There is fear among Bears fans that Johnson might struggle to find the right formula for success with a quarterback who is still adjusting to the professional level of play.
Moreover, Johnson will have to work with a roster that has experienced significant turnover and roster changes. The Bears have undergone multiple phases of rebuilding, and while they have added some young talent, they still have holes in various positions, including wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive secondary. In Detroit, Johnson had the advantage of working with an offense that had an established offensive line and a developing core of weapons. In Chicago, he faces the challenge of working with a team that has not yet found that perfect balance of talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
There is a concern that Johnson’s success in Detroit may have been as much a product of the circumstances surrounding him—the resources and environment at his disposal—than an indicator of his true capability as a head coach. The success he achieved with the Lions, while impressive, was also supported by a strong, growing offensive line and a relatively low-stakes team atmosphere compared to the pressure-packed environment he will face in Chicago.
Developing a Winning Culture
One of the most pressing concerns for the Bears organization is their inability to develop and maintain a winning culture in recent years. Chicago has a rich history in the NFL, but their modern-day struggles have become a source of embarrassment. For much of the past two decades, the Bears have been a team in flux, with multiple coaching changes, inconsistent player performance, and an inability to sustain long-term success. This has made it all the more difficult to instill a winning mentality throughout the organization.
The fear here is that Ben Johnson’s coaching style—while perhaps effective in a smaller, more specialized role—may not be the right fit to lead the Bears out of their doldrums. His success in Detroit came on the back of a high-powered offense and a coaching staff with a clear identity. But the Bears are a franchise that has long struggled to develop consistency, and it remains to be seen if Johnson can create a culture of accountability, toughness, and sustained excellence that has long eluded the Bears.
The Bears fanbase, known for being passionate and unforgiving, will quickly turn on a coach who doesn’t show results. If Johnson fails to foster a winning culture in Chicago, he could quickly find himself on the hot seat—an especially real possibility considering the franchise’s history of impatience with underperforming coaches.
The Organizational Structure and Expectations
Another fear surrounding Ben Johnson’s hire is how well he will fit into the Bears’ organizational structure. Team ownership, front-office leadership, and management play significant roles in the success or failure of a coach. The Bears have been in transition within the organization, with the recent hiring of new general manager Ryan Poles. How Johnson works with Poles, as well as how they coordinate the Bears’ rebuild, will be a key factor in the team’s success.
There is concern that Johnson may be set up for failure if the team’s front office and management don’t provide the resources, support, and personnel necessary to put a competitive product on the field. The Bears need a head coach who is able to navigate the pressures of working with a rebuilding franchise while simultaneously maintaining control over the team’s identity. If Johnson is undermined by decisions made at the higher levels of the organization, his ability to succeed could be limited by forces beyond his control.
Additionally, the expectations surrounding Johnson’s arrival in Chicago are high. The Bears have not had consistent success since the 1980s, and many fans and analysts view this as the team’s best shot at turning things around. This pressure can often be overwhelming for a first-time head coach, and there is a real fear that Johnson will crumble under the weight of these lofty expectations. If he fails to immediately improve the Bears’ fortunes, the criticism could be swift and unrelenting, further complicating his ability to find success.
The Importance of Time and Patience
Ultimately, one of the most significant fears surrounding Ben Johnson’s transition to head coach is the level of patience that he will receive from both the front office and the fanbase. Historically, the Bears have not been a team known for giving coaches an extended period to build a team. With the recent struggles of the organization, there may be an expectation for immediate results.
Johnson will need time to implement his system and build his roster the way he sees fit. However, in an environment where immediate success is often demanded, this could be a challenge. Bears fans have witnessed numerous failed coaching tenures, and it’s likely that any setbacks early in Johnson’s career will be met with skepticism and frustration. This impatience could undermine his ability to properly develop the team and execute his vision.