After leading the Detroit Lion’s offense in several top 5 categories, the Chicago Bears today announced they’ve hired offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next Head Coach.
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles believes Johnson is the perfect guy for the job.
“A proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation, we are excited to welcome Ben and his family to Chicago as our Head Coach,” said Poles. “Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben’s character, intelligence, leadership and ability to connect. A progressive offensive mind, Ben’s plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear. Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success.”
Poles continued…”It is undeniable how passionate Ben is for serving in the role of Head Coach of the Chicago Bears, and we are primed, equipped and excited to welcome him and his family to Chicago and to commence our process of building a championship-caliber team, together. This is just the beginning.”
According to Bears PR, Johnson arrives in Chicago after leading one of the league’s most-prolific offenses. Over the last two seasons, no unit has averaged more points per game (30.1) or net yards per game (402.2) than Johnson’s offensive unit with the Detroit Lions. Over each of his three seasons coordinating Detroit’s offense, Johnson’s group has finished in the top-five in total offense each season, including a No. 2 ranking in 2024. This past season, Johnson’s leadership propelled the Lions to average 409.5 yards per game offensively, a franchise record, as his unit’s 68 total offensive touchdowns were the most by any team in the NFL.
The Bears said Johnson spent six total seasons with the Lions, starting in 2019 in an Offensive Quality Control capacity. In 2021, Johnson added coordinator responsibilities mid-season, earning the advancement to full-time Offensive Coordinator for the 2022 season, the same season Detroit won eight of their last 10 matchups to close out the year. One season later, Johnson’s group finished No. 3 in the NFL in total offense (394 and No. 2 in passing offense (258.9), finishing the season in the NFC Championship Game and as a finalist for AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
Prior to Detroit, the Bears said Johnson served seven seasons on the staff of the Miami Dolphins, working under three different head coaches. Over his seven years in Miami, Johnson worked in the capacities of Offensive Assistant (2012), Assistant Quarterbacks Coach (2013-15), Tight Ends Coach (2015), Assistant Wide Receivers Coach (2016-17) and Wide Receivers Coach (2018). Johnson entered the coaching ranks as a Graduate Assistant at Boston College (2009-10), spending three years in Chestnut Hill, including the 2011 season as Tight Ends Coach. A native of Asheville, N.C., Johnson was a walk-on quarterback at the University of North Carolina, earning degrees in mathematics and computer science from UNC. Johnson and his wife, Jessica, have three children – Emory, Kennedy and Hall, add Bears PR.
“The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase,” said Johnson. “I am thankful to George, Kevin, Ryan and the entire organization for presenting me and my family with this tremendous opportunity. Having been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their Head Coach.”
Johnson added he was blessed of the opportunity.
“My family and I are incredibly blessed and fortunate to take this next step in our journey, and I cannot wait to lead our players, our support staff and organization, while doing so at the service of Bears fans. We are looking forward to fully ingraining ourselves in the great city of Chicago, as we work to create an impact in this special community. I am excited to partner with Ryan and the entire organization as we work to create a championship-caliber program. We are ready to get to work.”
“We are elated to welcome Ben and his family to the Bears and the greatest city in the world,” said Chicago Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey. “Ben’s leadership, poise, preparation and detail are evident. We certainly appreciate the first-class manner in which he approached this process. We are excited to see him lead our Bears.”
(Information courtesy of the Chicago Bears).
