Sean McVay burst onto the NFL scene like a lightning bolt in 2017. He’d been a successful offensive coordinator in Washington but was only 30 years old. It was hard to imagine he could be a good head coach at such a young age. The Los Angeles Rams made the playoffs his first year, reached the Super Bowl his second, and won a championship in his fifth season. Along the way, he crafted one of the most consistently effective offenses in the NFL. Since then, other teams have combed the NFL, looking for their own McVay. It appears the Chicago Bears found theirs with Ben Johnson.

Mind you, that isn’t me or some other analyst saying this. This comes directly from the mouth of former head coach Mike Martz. The Super Bowl champion is renowned as one of the best offensive minds of his era—a true genius. He first became aware of Johnson in 2018, and it didn’t take long to realize the kid was special. He made that clear to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.

“A no-ego, low-key brilliant guy that will be just an outstanding head coach,” Martz said. “I think he’s the best (play caller) I’ve seen, to be honest with you. Sean McVay is great, obviously. Sean Payton was really good when he came out. When they were young guys coming up, they were top-notch. I would put him in that category at least.”

Martz isn’t alone in this assessment.

Two other former head coaches, Mike Sherman and Adam Gase, developed relationships with Johnson during their time in Miami together. After watching his evolution, they are convinced he has that special something as an offensive mind. Not only is he a mastermind at crafting plays, but he’s endlessly adaptable.

“He has created a new wave,” Sherman said. “It’s almost like Wing T football. With all the misdirection and deception and crazy formations in the run game, it’s just different. He’s created a monster.”

Gase saw a “chameleon” at work in Detroit. “He’s always going to evolve,” he said. “He’s always going to be learning because that’s just kind of the person he is.”

It comes through in his play calling.

“He’s just really good at emphasizing something that the other team’s not good at and then adjusting as the game goes on,” Gase said. “If they’re playing it a different way, then he changes.”

Ben Johnson has the offensive pedigree.

Does he have the leadership? That is what stood out with McVay from the outset. It was obvious he had a brilliant mind for calling games. Nobody could be sure if he had the charisma and communication skills to command a locker room full of players, many of whom were older than him. He passed the test with flying colors. Many are confident Johnson will do the same. Due to his background, people consider him more of a bookish type. A nerd more interested in analytics than people. Those around him say that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Johnson is intense, vocal, and honest. He holds everybody accountable, including himself.

Martz isn’t prone to enormous praise—that just isn’t his personality. So, for him to label Ben Johnson as somebody on the same level as McVay or Sean Payton is eye-opening. The Bears have spent decades hiring coaches who seem more focused on tradition and old-school football. Mike Ditka was that way. Lovie Smith was that way. For the first time, it feels like the organization is ready to chart an unexplored path. Ben Johnson is the perfect choice to guide them.

The Chicago Bears have found their head coach. GM Ryan Poles conducted a disciplined and thorough search over the past two months. Right around Christmas time, he concluded that Ben Johnson was the guy. After weeks of careful planning, the Bears secured the highly-touted offensive coordinator to become the franchise’s 19th head coach. Fans are excited. The wider NFL is intrigued. Now comes the next challenge. Poles must fortify the roster for a legitimate playoff run next year.

Everybody knows the one position that needs help the most is the offensive line. Chicago probably needs an entirely new interior. There is no way they will be able to plug all of them in the draft, which means Poles may have to go hunting for help in free agency. Sadly, the best possible option won’t be available. Or at least that is what everybody thought. Field Yates of ESPN dropped a bombshell on the CHGO Bears Podcast that it’s his belief that star right guard Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs will hit the market.

This was reinforced by Joseph Grassano of KC Kingdom, who covers the Chiefs.

“The Kansas City Chiefs are set to have many key pieces enter free agency this offseason. Among those players is right guard Trey Smith.

Since entering the league in 2021, Smith has become one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL. As a result, he will command a high price tag that the Chiefs likely won’t be able to match.”

Ryan Poles is in the perfect position to lure Smith to Chicago.

Start with the obvious part. The two have a relationship. Poles was part of the Chiefs front office when they drafted the Tennessee guard in 2021. The Bears GM knows the type of player and person he is. Second, Chicago has the cash. They’re projected to have at least $66 million in cap space and can easily create more. Presuming Smith seeks more than $20 million per year, the Bears would have no problem affording it. Lastly, the arrival of Johnson is sure to draw attention. He’s renowned as one of the best offensive minds in the league. Smith would probably prefer playing for a coach similar to what he has enjoyed with Andy Reid in Kansas City.

Unfortunately, it won’t be easy. Several teams have offensive line needs going into this offseason. That includes the New England Patriots who have by far the most salary cap space with $132 million. They also have a young quarterback they must protect. It wouldn’t be surprising if they came forward with a massive offer. Ryan Poles doesn’t usually like to spend big in free agency, but this is a case where he knows he must come out aggressive. Smith is a worthwhile target to take your shot.

David Montgomery never wanted to leave Chicago, but the change in leadership at the top made his time with the Bears short. They didn’t want to pay him big money. So, the most dependable player the team had for years hit free agency. The Detroit Lions came calling with a strong offer, and he accepted. What followed was the best season of his career, cracking 1,000 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. Much of that success came from falling under the guidance of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who utilized Montgomery to his biggest strengths.

This season was no different. Despite missing three games, the running back still amassed 1,116 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. No doubt Montgomery knew Johnson was destined to leave for his own head coaching job after the Lions’ season ended. He probably wasn’t ready for the news that it would be his former team who’d pry him away from Detroit. Montgomery posted a rather fitting reaction on Instagram.

David Montgomery is a big believer in loyalty.

He felt the Bears didn’t show it to him when they didn’t make a serious offer on a new contract. That is why he always played so hard against them. For Johnson to turn around and join them must feel like a betrayal. Here is somebody David Montgomery grew to love and trust going over to the enemy. It can’t be a great feeling. Now he’s left floating in the unknown, facing the prospect of a new offensive coordinator who might not be as capable as Johnson was. The fact this comes just as the Lions are on the cusp of reaching their first Super Bowl must hurt even more. Don’t expect the Bears to apologize. They wanted somebody who could help elevate their young quarterback. Johnson is one of the most accomplished offensive minds in football. They didn’t do it to spite Montgomery, even if he might feel that way.

Detroit Lions fans are apoplectic right now. They always knew they were going to lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson at some point. He had been having way too much success over the past three years, and the NFL team would inevitably come calling. What makes it so much worse is that Johnson opted to go to the Chicago Bears, their hated division rival. Losing him is one thing. Having to go against him is something else entirely. Well, the misery might not be over for Lions fans. Another gut punch appears to be looming.

Carmen Vitali of FOX Sports appeared on the CHGO Bears Podcast to discuss the Johnson situation. From what she’s heard from people in Detroit, offensive line coach Hank Fraley is expected to join the Bears staff, most likely as offensive coordinator. This would be a massive coup. Fraley is considered one of the best line coaches in the league. He helped develop Jonah Jackson and Penei Sewell into Pro Bowlers. In three years of working with Johnson, Detroit allowed 24, 31, and 33 sacks, respectively. They also finished top-6 in rushing twice.

The Chicago Bears are helping Johnson build a stellar staff.

They’ve already lined up a new defensive coordinator. Former Saints head coach Dennis Allen is expected to take the role. Many view him as one of the best options on the market. Fraley would be an ideal addition to help fix the significant issues up front. Chicago allowed 67 sacks this past season. Part of that was talent issues and a young QB who held the ball at times. However, it was clear they also weren’t overly well-coached. Fraley should help clean up their mistakes and identify good players in the coming off-season.

Johnson deserves credit for this. He was obviously prepared for this moment. He’d spent time wisely lining up assistants for when he took a head coaching job. Allen and Fraley are two excellent additions who should bring proven track records to the Chicago Bears. It will be interesting to see who else he has in mind. Word is Johnson hopes to add assistants with head coaching experience in their backgrounds. There could be some interesting options out there.