If you're one of the many Chicago Bears fans who's all-in on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the top candidate in the team's head coaching search, you'll love this.
Johnson met with members of the Lions media Thursday and said he's more prepared to accept a head coaching job this offseason than he was in 2024.
“Yeah, I’d say I’m much more prepared than I was the last two years,” he said. “Now that I’ve been through the wringer a couple times, had some interviews, I certain do feel more prepared, just from a big-picture standpoint."
The connection between the Bears and Johnson is obvious. The Lions OC is considered the brightest young offensive mind in the NFL, and Chicago's next head coach has to be a guy who can get the most out of quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
It's true that Ben Johnson has had success with a cast of offensive characters that are far superior to what's currently in place in Chicago. You can debate the merits of the Bears' skill players against the Lions, but there's no argument to be had with the offensive lines. Detroit boasts arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, which, of course, makes calling plays significantly easier.
Still, there's no doubt that if the Chicago Bears are prioritizing offense in their coaching search, Johnson is the guy.
“I think there’s a burning desire in every man to find what he’s made out of, push the limits, and see if he’s got what it takes,” Johnson said. “So, yeah, there’s a fire there. When that time is, I don’t know when that would be, but there’s certainly a fire there.”