When the Chicago Bears named Ben Johnson their next head coach, the NFL world collectively raised an eyebrow — not because of doubt in Johnson’s talent, but because of just how improbable and lucky the timing seemed. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler didn’t hold back when discussing the hire during a recent segment on SportsCenter, calling the move “one of the smartest, luckiest coaching hires we’ve seen in recent NFL memory.”
The Bears, who spent much of the offseason evaluating a dozen candidates, landed the one most front offices wanted — the same Ben Johnson who turned Jared Goff’s career around in Detroit, who transformed the Lions from league laughingstock to legitimate NFC contenders, and who nearly became a head coach a year earlier before pulling back at the eleventh hour. His hire in Chicago wasn’t just strategic. It was, as Fowler put it, “a convergence of patience, misdirection, and perfect timing.”
The 2025 offseason was packed with high-stakes coaching searches. The Falcons, Commanders, Raiders, and Seahawks were all hunting for new leaders. All had interviewed Johnson at some point. Yet it was the Bears who quietly secured the signature of the NFL’s most coveted young offensive mind. With the No. 1 pick in their pocket (thanks to last year’s trade with the Panthers), an improving defense, and a clean organizational structure, Johnson saw an opportunity to build something special from scratch — this time, as the architect of his own program.
“Most coaches don’t walk into a situation where they get to hand-pick their quarterback from a generational class,” Fowler said. “Ben Johnson gets Caleb Williams or Drake Maye or whoever he wants. That’s insane value.”
And that’s what makes this hire even more fascinating: it’s not just about the Xs and Os. It’s about vision. It’s about synergy. Johnson now finds himself at the center of one of the NFL’s most intriguing rebuilds, armed with a franchise-defining draft pick, a top-tier defense, and an up-and-coming general manager in Ryan Poles, who’s gone from the hot seat to hailed genius in under six months.
Insiders close to the situation said Johnson turned down serious money from other franchises — in particular, Atlanta and Seattle — to bet on Chicago. Why? ESPN’s Dan Graziano summed it up best: “Ben Johnson isn’t just trying to be a head coach. He’s trying to build a legacy. Chicago offers him that chance.”
Johnson’s reputation has been steadily growing ever since he took over play-calling duties in Detroit in 2022. That season, the Lions’ offense exploded into the top five in yards and points. Goff, whom many had labeled washed, threw for over 4,400 yards with 29 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. The offense was creative, efficient, and balanced — utilizing play action, jet motion, and personnel groupings in a way that constantly kept defenses guessing.
“He doesn’t just call plays. He designs games,” said one former Lions staffer now working for the Texans. “Every week felt like a masterclass.”
That’s exactly what the Bears are hoping for — a masterclass of modern football, one that finally brings the Windy City into the 21st century offensively. Chicago, a franchise historically known for its defense and often rudderless on offense, now has a chance to reshape its identity under Johnson.
And it couldn’t come at a better time.
The NFC North is as wide open as it’s been in years. While the Lions remain a threat and the Packers look re-energized under Jordan Love, neither team is unbeatable. With the Vikings in flux, Chicago has a real chance to climb quickly if they get the quarterback right.
Johnson’s ability to develop a young passer may ultimately define his early tenure. ESPN’s Field Yates noted that Johnson “was instrumental in building confidence around Jared Goff’s mechanics and decision-making.” If the Bears select Caleb Williams, Johnson will get the chance to mentor one of the most dynamic quarterback prospects since Patrick Mahomes. If they go with Drake Maye, they’ll be getting a tough, big-bodied passer with a cannon arm — again, tailor-made for Johnson’s vertical play-action schemes.
And let’s not forget: the Bears also have another top-10 pick. With offensive weapons like DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, and D’Andre Swift already in place, the idea of adding another blue-chip receiver or offensive tackle could turn this team into a juggernaut overnight.
Fowler was particularly bullish on the long-term outlook, saying, “This is the most promising Bears setup since the 1980s. They’ve got a head coach people respect, a front office with vision, and draft capital you can’t buy.”
Johnson’s demeanor and leadership style also fit the modern NFL. Soft-spoken but fiercely competitive, Johnson commands a room with clarity and calm. He doesn’t yell to be heard; he teaches to be understood. Multiple players have described him as “a genius who still listens.” That rare mix of IQ and EQ — intelligence and emotional awareness — makes him a natural fit for leading young men in high-pressure environments.
That quality wasn’t lost on the Bears during their interview process. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson wowed the search committee not just with his offensive philosophy but with his “complete plan for team-building, culture, and discipline.”
“He talked more about how to hold people accountable, how to develop trust, and how to collaborate across departments than he did about bootlegs or motion,” Schefter said. “That’s what sealed it.”
The idea of Johnson thriving in Chicago would’ve sounded far-fetched just a few years ago. At that time, he was still relatively unknown — a quarterbacks coach with a technical mind but little buzz. It wasn’t until Detroit empowered him that he flourished. Now, he gets the full keys to the kingdom.
There’s a risk, of course. The Bears are still a young team. The offensive line needs work. The quarterback situation — until draft night — is still technically unresolved. The NFC isn’t devoid of contenders. But there’s something different this time. It’s not the typical “new coach, new hope” cycle. This feels more calculated, more mature. Johnson didn’t jump at the first offer. He waited, plotted, and chose a franchise that could grow with him.
And that growth might be fast.
In today’s NFL, teams rise quickly when they nail the quarterback and head coach pairing. Look at the Texans with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud. Look at the Jaguars when Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson synced up. Now imagine Johnson with Caleb Williams — or Drake Maye — behind a retooled offensive line, surrounded by weapons, and anchored by a defense that quietly ranked among the top 12 in takeaways.
It’s not far-fetched. It’s real. And the rest of the NFC is taking notice.
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes perhaps said it best: “Ben Johnson might be the smartest man in football. He saw where the NFL is headed — quarterbacks who extend plays, spread offenses with creativity, defenses that emphasize speed — and he chose the team best positioned to build all of that from the ground up. Chicago’s not just lucky. They’re about to be good.”
Good might be an understatement. If everything clicks, the Bears won’t just be competitive. They’ll be contenders. Johnson has the brain, the tools, and the environment to usher in a new era of Bears football — one where fans finally cheer for an offense instead of praying for punts.
That’s the kind of future you dream of. That’s the kind of luck you take to the bank.
And, if ESPN insiders are right, it’s only just beginning.