The Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Ben Johnson as their head coach on Tuesday.
Johnson, 38, accepted the position with Chicago after three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions. He began his time with the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach before elevating to tight ends coach and later passing game coordinator.
“A proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation, we are excited to welcome Ben and his family to Chicago as our head coach,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said.
“Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben’s character, intelligence, leadership and ability to connect. A progressive offensive mind, Ben’s plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear. Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success.
“It is undeniable how passionate Ben is for serving in the role of head coach of the Chicago Bears, and we are primed, equipped and excited to welcome him and his family to Chicago and to commence our process of building a championship-caliber team, together. This is just the beginning.”
Johnson will take over a Bears team that floundered to last-place finish in the NFC North this season. Chicago lost 10 straight after its promising start, including a 23-20 defeat at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day that led to the firing of coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29.
“The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase,” Johnson said. “I am thankful to George (McCaskey, team chairman), Kevin (Warren, president and CEO), Ryan, and the entire organization for presenting me and my family with this tremendous opportunity. Having been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their head coach.”
In each of Johnson’s three seasons as offensive coordinator, the Lions finished among the NFL’s top five in total yards and points per game.
Under Johnson, Detroit boasted the league’s top scoring offense this season (33.2 points per game) and finished second in average total yards (409.5). The Lions’ points (564) and regular-season wins (15) this season were franchise records.
Johnson will aim to improve a Bears offense that managed the fewest yards (284.6) and tied for the fourth-fewest points per game (18.2) with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
