The Bears officially hired Ben Johnson just a few days ago, and since then, the team has enjoyed great PR. That is what happens when you land the number one head coaching target in this cycle. Johnson has also impressed in media interviews and his opening press conference. Recently, Windy City Gridiron had the opportunity to interview Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, and it’s a fantastic listen—I highly recommend checking it out (linked here).
The 200th Bears Banter is out!
"Call the Bears and see if you can get a deal done."
We talk to Rick Smith, Ben Johnson's agent, about Johnson's decision to join the Bears. Rick is incredibly transparent and I promise, you'll love this interview.https://t.co/bNBJ4ifPyS
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— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) January 24, 2025
During the interview, Smith addressed rumors that the Raiders were strong contenders for Johnson, with many around the league believing Las Vegas was the frontrunner for the top head coaching candidate. Smith denied these claims, explaining that the media and internet often create narratives that don’t align with reality. He revealed it wasn’t in his client’s best interest to publicly correct the storyline at the time however. Smith clarified that the Bears were always Johnson’s first choice, and he made that decision the Monday after Detroit’s loss to Washington. Johnson instructed Smith to call Chicago and work out a deal, which the Bears finalized quickly.
The entire process in Chicago was incredible.
Rick Smith praised the Bears organization, stating that while the Bears have faced criticism in the past, this is a new era. He credited Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles for leading the team in the right direction and highlighted how smooth and professional the hiring process was for both him and his client. They were blown away.
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If you’re interested in more details about this process, be sure to listen to the interview—Windy City Gridiron did an incredible job with it!
