Ben Johnson, now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, has already made a strong impression on the team ahead of the offseason program.
As reported by the New York Times, George McCaskey, chairman of Detroit, shared that Johnson is eager to go up against his former colleagues Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell, and Matt LaFleur during the 2025 NFL season.
Johnson previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions between 2022 and 2024. He held several coaching roles in Detroit from 2019 through last season, giving him deep insight into the team. Before his time with the Lions, Johnson also coached in various roles with the Miami Dolphins.
Now leading the Bears, Johnson hopes to completely revamp the franchise after a tough 2024 campaign that saw them finish fourth in the NFC West with a 6-11 record. Their final game of the season ended in a 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers, but the late victory wasn’t enough to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Although Johnson is focused on winning games with Chicago, that doesn’t mean the ride will be smooth—especially for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently noted that Johnson may not create a relaxed atmosphere for Williams, who is likely in for a demanding season under the new coach.
Johnson saw great success with Detroit as their offensive coordinator. The Lions boasted one of the league’s top offenses last year and finished first in the NFC North with an impressive 15-2 record.
However, Johnson’s approach may differ significantly from former Bears coach Matt Eberflus. He demands immediate action and full effort from Day 1, which could challenge Caleb Williams at first—but it’s likely to pay off in the long run.
During the 2024 season, Caleb Williams threw for 3,541 yards, tallying 20 touchdowns against six interceptions. With Johnson guiding him, those numbers could see a significant jump in the upcoming NFL season.