The media has swung back and forth on Ben Johnson like a pendulum, trying to figure out where the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator might go to become a head coach. Some thought it was a race between the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars. Then the Las Vegas Raiders parachuted out of nowhere to suddenly become the odds-on favorite. Now, even that narrative has shifted once again. The truth is nobody knows where he’s going. It’s been admitted his camp has been remarkably tight-lipped about it.
In such cases, the only thing to do is follow the breadcrumbs. A big one just dropped on Friday when it was revealed that Johnson had signed with agent Rick Smith of Priority Sports. On the surface, that may not seem like news. Coaches always find representation when hitting the market. However, the important part comes from who he chose to hire.
Smith is not Trace Armstrong, which is an important first point. Beyond that, it is worth noting he is an Illinois native. He lives in Highland Park and obtained degrees from both Illinois and Northwestern. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but come on. A hot coaching prospect who’s been connected to the Bears by multiple insiders for months happens to sign with an agent with strong ties to Chicago. That is impossible to shrug off as nothing.
Ben Johnson isn’t the only notable name they represent.
Priority Sports also has Steve Kerr and Mike Kafka as clients. Kerr has deep ties to Chicago from his years with the Bulls. Kafka was a quarterback at Northwestern and just so happened to interview for the head coaching job this past week. Olin Kreutz also had them as agents during his career. This doesn’t guarantee Johnson is coming to the Bears. It’s merely interesting that the representation he chose happens to have deep roots in the city his name has been most connected to over the past month.
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It could end up being a false alarm. Yet people are smart enough to know things like this, which usually indicates something is going on. If Ben Johnson ends up with the Bears at some point in the next few weeks, this will have been the first real sign it was true.
It’s funny how every other Bears article reads Ben Johnson – is going to the Bears.. then below that is Ben Johnson – is not going to the Bears. What a crap show. These sites are trying to draw in viewers with all these ridiculous speculations. The fact is no one actually knows where Ben will end up, I’m pretty sure not even Ben knows this as of now. This speculation is absurd. If we don’t get him we get the next best candidate.. who could very well end up being a better choice anyway.
This is why Ben Johnson is a lock to Chicsgo:
1) Ben Johnson’s Agent is Rick Smith
2) Rick Smith lives/works in Chicago/Highland Park
3) Rick Smiths LinkedIn page has him friends and working with Cliff Stein.
4) Cliff Stein was the SR VP/lead council/contract negotiator for the Chicago Bears for 22 yrs up until 2024.
I guarantee they both vouched for the McCaskeys and the organization to Ben Johnson.
Well I heard that Ben’s dog was chewing on a bone that was made by a company that is about 17 miles from Chicago. That’s got to signal that Ben’s dog is sending signs that he wants to come to Chicago……. unless of course, Ben’s wife purchased the bone for Sparky, and in that case Ben’s wife was the one to send the subliminal signs instead. Who to give credit too is my question. Would you give it to Sparky? Or Jaquanita Johnson?
@David: Not quite nothing, I think, but much less than most think, and in fact almost nothing. Once the Lions season is done, Ben will start weighing options. Until then, noise and nonsense.
Josh McCown’s agent used to be a scout for the Bears. He’s a lock to be the next HC. You heard it here first folks. You’re welcome