Matt Eberflus’ job security as the Chicago Bears head coach is under serious scrutiny following another road loss to the Arizona Cardinals. With an 0-18 record in Sunday road games, a point differential of -181, and multiple fourth-quarter collapses in games where the Bears had a 91% win probability, his tenure has become hard to defend. It recently emerged that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was interested in the Bears’ head coaching position last offseason, though the team chose to retain Eberflus. Now, with Eberflus likely departing after this season, Johnson seems like a logical choice as his successor.
Ben Johnson Makes Perfect Sense as the Next Bears Head Coach
Ben Johnson’s Credentials Make Him a Compelling Choice for the Bears
Ben Johnson has been the driving force behind the Detroit Lions’ offensive resurgence. Under his leadership, the Lions’ offense became one of the NFL’s top units last season, finishing second in passing, third in total offense, and fifth in both rushing offense and points per game. This season, their offensive dominance continues. According to Lions’ Senior Writer Tim Twentyman, the Lions excel at protecting the ball, with just five turnovers in seven games (tied for the fourth fewest in the league). They rank seventh in both third-down conversions (42.9%) and red-zone efficiency (65.5%), efficiently extending drives and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Twentyman describes it as “good offensive football.”
Credit also goes to General Manager Brad Holmes, who has constructed a roster with Pro Bowl-caliber players like Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Frank Ragnow, and Penei Sewell. While the Bears have offensive talent, they need a strategic play-caller like Johnson to maximize their potential and take their offense to the next level.
Focusing on the Development of Caleb Williams
The Bears have been mired in mediocrity for far too long, and a change is overdue. The main priority should be to ensure Caleb Williams’ development by pairing him with a skilled play-caller at head coach. Though Ben Johnson lacks head coaching experience, his performance as the Lions’ offensive coordinator has been stellar. If the Bears are serious about winning, they should do what it takes to bring Johnson on as head coach next season.
For GM Ryan Poles, the focus needs to be on reinforcing both the offensive and defensive lines in free agency and the draft. The Lions’ success on offense is no accident, as they arguably have the best offensive line in the NFL. Building a strong line to protect Caleb will be crucial for him to thrive and take strides toward becoming the Bears’ franchise quarterback.
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