Anybody who has followed the build-up to the 2025 coaching cycle will say the hottest name on the circuit is Ben Johnson. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is about to finish his third straight season with a top five offense. He’s managed to do it without a genuine superstar at quarterback. As the Chicago Bears have fired Matt Eberflus, it was inevitable that Johnson would be connected to them. However, there is an added wrinkle. Albert Breer and Adam Schefter have both now hinted that the coach has some degree of interest in the Bears job.
Most would assume it’s because he wanted the chance to work with Caleb Williams. It’s safe to assume the organization hopes to meet with Johnson at some point next month. There could be a problem, though. Breer gave an update on the situation ahead of Thursday night’s matchup with Green Bay. He stated that Johnson won’t go chasing any job. He has certain conditions he hopes are met. One of the biggest is “alignment” between himself on the general manager.
If that is true, the Bears are in a serious dilemma.
Ben Johnson may not want to work with Ryan Poles.
That isn’t necessarily because he doesn’t respect the Bears GM. It is more about not being sure of Poles’ job security. Kevin Warren announced that the organization plans to keep him on and that he will lead the search for a new head coach. One would think that offers some guarantees that he isn’t going anywhere. That said, he’s been part of three straight losing seasons in Chicago. If there is another one next year, what’s to stop the Bears from just firing him? Suddenly, whoever the next coach is will be stuck waiting for them to hire a new one.
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According to the update, Ben Johnson does not want any part of that. This means that if the Bears are serious about hiring him, they need to consider one of two options. Either they have to fire Poles and hire a GM Johnson would approve, or they must find a way to convince him that Poles is in zero danger of losing his job. Maybe that can be done with a contract extension of some kind. Whatever the case, it’s clear Johnson won’t simply jump at the Bears job because it’s available. He will need assurances of stability.
@Dr. Melhus — Even the national media is catching on (to some degree). Google up Jon Greenberg’s piece for The Athletic entitled, “Kevin Warren shows he’s in charge as Bears try to find the right coach to lead team” (12/2/24). Better late — than never, I suppose. In the article, Greenberg posits: “… I think a lot of coaches would be happy with the job, and certainly, every coach’s agent will want his clients mentioned with the job, but there will be those who would rather go elsewhere. Especially if they’ve been paying attention. “Bears head coach” has the longevity… Read more »
Ryan Poles has hit on more draft picks than missed he’s had more hits on more trade then misses he’s been tops in salary cap since joining the team and has found the Bears franchise quarterback how is he on the hot seat he didn’t choose or wanted to keep flus the mccaskey’s Did.🐻⬇️
@Dr. Melhus — Try this “eye-test.” Hold your phone at arm’s length, focus your eyes and tell me if you can identify the characters below: … 14–32 Can you see that? That’s really all you need to know. __________________ Dr. Melhus, please: Ask anyone who has ever played the game at a truly competitive level whether David Montgomery and D’Andre Swift are comparable RBs. Next, you’re going to tell us that D’Andre Swift was a better pick up than: Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley — each of whom signed with “new” teams. Cut it out! ____________ Finally, do… Read more »
As usual, @TGena has presented a very carefully curated set of facts that distort the picture. I would ask the following: Why was Jaylon Johnson so upset with Flus after the Detroit game? Because Johnson felt that the Bears had the talent to win that game, and did not. Two years ago, Johnson knew the Bears didn’t have the talent to make the playoffs. Now he feels they do. Many NFL analysts agree with him. So if Ryan Poles is so terrible as a GM, how did he build a roster with playoff level talent? Further, the Bears core is… Read more »
Ben Johnson is smart enough to recognize the Bears are in transition and he has every right to make sure there is some stability in management before committing to any offer the Bears may make. Ryan Poles should be reassured his job is secure. Not because Ben Johnson wants it, but because he is the reason the Bears have a talented team. He completely rebuilt this team. His trades and draft choices have been excellent! Trades for Claypool and Davis were a disappointment but it wasn’t because they weren’t talented. They just quit performing up to their capabilities. Once the… Read more »