Ben Johnson has a difficult task ahead of him as the new Chicago Bears head coach. The first hurdle is tweaking the roster enough to make him comfortable with the personnel available. GM Ryan Poles still has the final say on such decisions, but some wonder how much sway Johnson has. Many felt he wanted considerable power in that regard. Every move made over the past month suggests his word is going a long way inside Halas Hall. While that might make some fans nervous, it shouldn’t.
That is if you trust the comments from Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. He revealed to Kay Adams during a charity golf event that one aspect of Johnson’s value that doesn’t get mentioned is his eye for talent.
“Of course I’m happy for Ben, he was one of the big reasons that they brought me into the Lions, nothing but respect for him,” LaPorta said. “On Sunday afternoons this fall, there will be friends turned enemies. It hurts, of course. You spend a lot of time with these people, invest a lot of energy, effort and hard work together. You’re excited he’s going to run his own team, it’s very exciting times for him, but it’s very exciting times for us too as well as we turn to our new coaching staff.”
This suggests Detroit gave him a major voice in personnel decisions, and for good reason. Between 2022 and 2024, when Johnson was the offensive coordinator, the Lions spent three picks in the 1st or 2nd rounds on offensive plays. Those picks resulted in LaPorta, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Two of those players have already made a Pro Bowl, while the other just cracked 1,000 receiving yards last season.
Ben Johnson seems to have a keen eye for talent.
That bodes well for the upcoming draft as the Bears hope to put the finishing touches on their new offense. Running back and left tackle are possible areas they could address in the 1st round, with tight end being an outside possibility. In addition to this, Ben Johnson hired a defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, who also seems to have a glittering reputation for pinpointing good players. Since becoming a coordinator/head coach in 2011, he’s helped draft names like Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Sheldon Rankins, Marshon Lattimore, Trey Hendrickson, and Zack Baun. If Poles sticks to his word to give the coaches a significant say in the makeup of this roster, the Bears could be in store for an excellent draft next month. Whether Ben Johnson wants to kick it off on offense is the big question.
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Look who is talking. One of the first simpletons.
You all need to realize that as amazingly dumb as they are, by actually trolling a site with about 10 total people who leave comments, Sally and TinaGena are only going to troll you more the more you acknowledge them. If it’s fun for you, that’s fine. Just an observation though. And for those that come on this site to whine about every single article posted by SM, it’s getting old. You all know nothing is going on in the NFL right now, and every article out there is just speculation and minor chit chat. Minor chit chat and speculation… Read more »
RoosterRider; Retaliation for your needless personal attack on me. (Waiting for you on Sunday night as usual.) I place you firmly within the Dark Triangle related to all three legs. You should read up about yourself. For you, I suggest using Wikipedia for beginners. Retaliation against a true bully: remember, to get the full effect from riding the rooster, you must cut his head off. He will go crazy on you. That should reduce your loneliness. ROAR! PS: Takes unreal nerve for you to lecture TGena on anything related to football. Yes, you are a Bears fan, that is, a… Read more »
Shut your pie hole and be gone sally and we true Bears fans won’t have to piss on your leg…….@Gena this is how things work in the NFL. GMs build a team around their coaches needs. They don’t just grab a bunch of players randomly and tell the coach to coach. Now I’m sure all the credit for the draft picks will go to Johnson in your mind. Unless someone doesn’t work out then it will be on Poles.
Poles plans on giving the HC exactly who he wants, right along with his DC. Poles gave Eberflus full autonomy, but still drafted who he envisioned for his team’s future. This year will be where Ryan Poles can finally sit back and enjoy what they’re building with no pressure from hopes and wishes in this draft.
We have an Avengers like coaching staff assembled. The draft is gonna be amazing and the season will be reminiscent of 2018, without the double doink.