One would think that recruiting head coaches should be an easy task for the Chicago Bears. They have a young quarterback who has shown a tonne of promise, cap room, and a number of top draft picks. It is the closest thing to a perfect scenario. Ryan Poles is the one major issue in the room. With only one year remaining on his contract, the general manager bears some of the blame for the chaotic mess the team has become this season. Given that he is still in control, this has made many people question if certain applicants would be enthusiastic about taking the Bears’ position. Ben Johnson is one such name.
For weeks, there have been rumours that the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions will be picky about who he interviews this cycle. That’s a clever way of expressing that he would rather go somewhere where he can bring a staff member he knows and has faith in. When discussing the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are anticipated to fire both head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado affirmed this. The juicy part, though, is the addition that Johnson’s team is purposefully making this public in order to pressure the Bears into firing Poles.
Although he won’t beg, Ben Johnson wants the Bears job.
He won’t risk his future with a general manager he doesn’t know, trust, or who hasn’t demonstrated that he can create a consistent winner. He is not to be blamed for that. He would rather work with someone who will be sensitive to his requirements and preferences if this is his sole chance to coach his own team. Ray Agnew, the Lions’ assistant general manager, perhaps. It may be Jeff Ireland, the assistant general manager of the Saints, or someone else. The point is still the same. Poles will have to be cut loose if the Bears want him.
In essence, that gives them the upper hand. A few weeks ago, team president Kevin Warren stated that Poles will remain and assist with leading the process. There have been rumours, though, that if the coach he wants isn’t interested in collaborating with the general manager, then things might alter. George McCaskey seems to have a lot of control over this choice. It was he who employed Poles. He has a terrible propensity to remain faithful to his men, even if they haven’t done much to deserve it. Warren will need to convince McCaskey to hire Ben Johnson if that is his desired candidate.