Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
It might be hard for the Bears to convince Johnson to leave Detroit for a division rival, but they should pull out all the stops to get Johnson to Chicago.
The Lions have the top-ranked scoring offense (31.9 points per game) and are second in total offense (395.2 yards per game). In Johnson’s three seasons as offensive coordinator, Detroit has finished in the top five in both categories each year.
Johnson rejected Carolina’s overtures the past two offseasons and also withdrew from
consideration for jobs in Houston, Indianapolis, Washington and Seattle.
“I wanted the sunshine a little bit longer,” Johnson said, explaining his decision to stay in Detroit.
“I like what we’ve built here … We have a great group of guys in the locker room and I want to reap the rewards with them a little bit longer,” he added.
If Johnson ultimately lands in Chicago, he might develop a Vitamin D deficiency.
The Bears have been historically awful offensively, never producing a 4,000-yard passing season in franchise history.
That’s precisely why they need Johnson. He’s the best offensive-minded coach due for a promotion.
Hiring Johnson is almost as much of a no-brainer as calling a timeout with the clock approaching zero in a three-point game in opponent territory. Too soon?
Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
Kingsbury received a first-hand look at Chicago’s starting quarterback while working as an offensive analyst at USC in 2023.
NCAA rules prohibited Kingsbury from coaching Williams, but he acted as an advisor of sorts for the future No. 1 overall pick in April’s 2024 NFL Draft.
“Talking about football, talking about experiences that he’s had as a head coach, offensive coordinator, things like that at the pro level is what I got from him,” Williams said of Kingsbury in October, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
Kingsbury reached the playoffs once in four seasons as Cardinals head coach (2019-22). He was fired following the 2022 season after going 4-13, less than a year after signing a long-term extension.
His reputation has rebounded in Washington with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, although the team’s recent three-game losing streak recalls a troubling trend from Kingsbury-coached offenses. Most start strong before fading during the season’s second half.
