The Chicago Bears are starting a new chapter after investing in a new head coach. Bears fans all around the world are excited that Da Bears may have gotten the right guy for the job, hiring former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. After watching the Lions’ modern offense run around, over and through the Bears, spirits couldn’t be higher at Halas Hall to have Johnson on their side.
Despite all the joy and excitement, speculation remains amongst the fanbase on whether Johnson is a leader and has the experience needed. He will be a rookie head coach. But what Johnson might lack in leadership and experience, he makes up for tenfold in innovation.
The Bears have been the laughingstock of the NFL for the better part of a decade and have refused to evolve to keep up with their competition. They have been stuck in the past, a history book of the Halas family. They are the only team in NFL history without a quarterback to have passed for 4,000 yards in a single season and they have had one of the worst offenses over the last five years.
Johnson led the Lions offense from 2022-24. In those three years, Detroit had a top-five offense every season and the second best offense in the 2024 season, according to the Bears. He ran a better offense at a more consistent rate than anyone else in the past three years and is arguably the best offensive mind in the NFL, making him an out-of-character candidate for the Bears.
Not only is Johnson an offensive guru, but also he had a massive hand in developing Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Goff, a former first overall pick, was written off early in his career. Then he was traded to the Lions and under Johnson’s offense, he blossomed, even reaching the MVP conversation.
The most important piece on the Bears is quarterback Caleb Williams, 2024’s No. 1 overall draft pick. Williams’ development is at the forefront of the Bears organization, and Johnson’s hiring serves as a commitment to him.
But despite his seemingly perfect resume, Johnson has one glaring issue: He has no head coaching experience and thus no proof of being a good leader.
The Bears’ last two coaches were both former coordinators without head coaching experience. Under both coaches, the team seemed to lack leadership, especially this past season under former head coach Matt Eberflus.
Last season the Bears finished 5-12, last in the division. And it seemed to take a toll on the team’s morale. With a lack of leadership the locker room began to break, and players voiced their concerns, like Bears safety Jaquan Brisker when he tweeted, “God don’t make mistakes,” shortly after Eberflus was fired from the Bears.
It’s safe to say that the Bears are in dire need of good leadership on top of a modern, innovative NFL offense.
We can’t know for sure if Johnson will be a great leader, but he’s made life easier for himself with some of his staff hires.
Johnson and the Bears have hired Antwaan Randle El as assistant head coach and wide receiver coach as well as J.T. Barrett as the quarterback coach. Both former Detroit coaches who have worked with Johnson before.
The Bears are also improving their defense with Al Harris becoming the new defensive pass game coordinator and defensive back coach. Harris has multiple seasons to his name and two pro bowl appearances.
His most impressive hire by far and maybe the most important, has been newly crowned defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Allen is another proclaimed defensive guru. When coaching the Saints, his defense finished top 10 in total defense in three of his last four full seasons, including his last two as head coach, according to the Bears. Not only will Allen keep the Bears defense a top group, but he’ll also be able to provide valuable input for Johnson on head coaching and be a great influence to lean on when Johnson might be struggling.
That still leaves the question of leadership, and though there is no guarantee he’ll be a great leader, there are signs of his potential.
Johnson comes from Detroit, which has one of the best leaders in the NFL with head coach Dan Campbell. Campbell’s players love him and are behind him at every turn. Even after their playoff loss last season, Lions runningback David Montgomery praised Campbell.
“Like I say every time I get asked that question, Dan is the best coach in the league,” Montgomery said in The Detroit News. “Every call that he makes, we trust and we’re behind him. Every call that he’s made is the right call.”
This quote from Montgomery speaks to Campbell’s leadership skills. Coming from that coaching staff, Johnson has seen how a great leader operates and is sure to have adopted some of the qualities of a leader.
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