Chicago Bears President/CEO Kevin Warren boldly proclaimed seven weeks ago the organization would have the most attractive situation of any team searching for a new head coach — and it appears that proved true.
The club is finalizing a deal to hire Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was hotly pursued by the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Johnson became available sooner than anyone imagined after the top-seeded Lions were upset in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday at Ford Field, losing 45-31 to the Washington Commanders.
The Bears were able to firm up an agreement with Johnson before even bringing him to Halas Hall for an in-person interview. One source said on Saturday morning that Johnson was believed to have offers from all three teams and a decision, even if the Lions advanced in the playoffs, was likely imminent so a staff could be organized behind the scenes.
The team performed a wide-ranging search, interviewing at least 17 candidates, including former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who was viewed as a strong candidate for the job.
But Johnson, 38, was at or near the top of the team’s list and apparently he was fine with the idea of working with general manager Ryan Poles. One of the drawing cards with the Raiders specifically and possibly the Jaguars would have been the opportunity to influence a decision on the hiring of a GM.
Johnson will go to work building an offense around Caleb Williams, the No. 1 draft pick last season. A quick decision, two days after the Lions were eliminated, gives Johnson a head start on forming a staff of assistants.
Johnson replaces Matt Eberflus, who was fired a day after the Nov. 28 loss in Detroit with a 4-8 record on the season. Eberflus finished 14-32 in his time with the Bears.
