The new man at the helm.
Pete Carroll, Mike McCarthy and Mike Vrabel were among the interviewed parties, but in the end the Bears went for youth over experience.
Following an interview process involving at least 17 separate candidates, Ben Johnson – offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions – was chosen as the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The consensus in NFL circles suggests that the Bears have chosen the right man for the job.
The appointment adds a massive shot of optimism to the offseason, but also a slight sense of deja vu. Going back 12 months and with a first round draft pick to come, the mood was equally buoyant.
Everything throughout the offseason suggested a fresh start, a sense of change and new beginnings. That optimism was shaken and ultimately dashed, leaving the Bears with a five win record and looking longingly at teams such as the Washington Commanders.
The team from Washington successfully rebuilt last summer, with their number two draft pick Jayden Daniels guiding his team with flair and maturity to a Conference Championship game. So what is in store for Caleb Williams and the Bears with Johnson at the helm?
Follows the ‘McVay effect’ blueprint
Sean McVay served as offensive coordinator for a high powered Washington Redskins offense prior to his head coaching hire with the Rams.
Similarly, Mike McDaniel was offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers prior to his head coach hire by the Miami Dolphins.
Both have translated their time spent developing a high octane offense with one group of players into leading a team successfully with another.
In Johnson’s three seasons as offensive coordinator at the Lions, they put up an average of 26, 27 and 33 points per game, compared to 21, 23 and 19 in the previous three seasons.
The Lions offense has purred under Johnson and been a joy to watch as a neutral, with big air yards from Jared Goff and a multi-pronged run game.
Johnson and Williams have expressed a mutual admiration, with Williams commenting that he would study the Lions offense from the sideline when the teams came face to face – “It has been really cool to watch”.
Ben Johnson was born in 1986, two years too early to prevent his parents giving him a now infamous moniker.
Bears fans will now spend the summer months waiting to see if his appointment will be performance enhancing, or in fact turn out to be just another false start for the franchise.
