In the world of professional football, coaching changes often come with a combination of fresh philosophies, new strategies, and bold decisions. One such change recently took place in the NFL when Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, left his position to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. While his move was met with excitement, it was also marked by a sense of uncertainty and anticipation. Johnson’s arrival in Chicago was seen as the dawn of a new era for the Bears, a team that had been mired in mediocrity for years.
However, it wasn’t just his new role as head coach that made headlines. Upon taking the reins, Johnson wasted little time in making what many observers saw as a ruthless, yet necessary, change to the Bears’ roster, coaching staff, and overall organizational approach. Known for his innovative offensive mind, Johnson’s decision to overhaul the offensive strategy and personnel was seen as a dramatic shift—one that would either make or break his tenure as head coach.
This article will explore Ben Johnson’s transition from Detroit to Chicago, the bold decisions he made early in his head coaching career, and what these changes could mean for the future of the Chicago Bears.
From Detroit to Chicago: The Decision to Leave
Ben Johnson’s rise in the NFL coaching ranks had been impressive. After a short stint in Miami as an assistant coach, Johnson joined the Detroit Lions as their tight ends coach in 2019. His work with the Lions’ offense, particularly in the development of young players and the growth of quarterback Jared Goff, quickly caught the attention of league insiders. In 2021, Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator, where he became one of the NFL’s rising stars. Under his leadership, the Lions’ offense experienced significant improvement, highlighted by a more aggressive playbook, innovative schemes, and a commitment to developing a balanced attack.
During his time in Detroit, Johnson was credited with turning the Lions into one of the more exciting offenses in the NFL, particularly with a focus on creating mismatches and using motion to confuse defenses. His work with Goff, who had previously struggled to find consistency, helped the quarterback regain his confidence and thrive in the Lions’ system. Johnson was seen as the architect of one of the league’s most promising offensive units.
However, despite his success in Detroit, the Chicago Bears saw an opportunity to bring in a fresh, innovative voice to their organization. With the Bears’ offense long considered one of the most stagnant in the NFL, the team’s front office recognized the potential in Johnson’s creative playcalling and his ability to develop young quarterbacks.
For Johnson, the move was an exciting challenge. Chicago, despite its storied history, had not seen significant playoff success in years. The Bears were in dire need of an offensive overhaul, and Johnson was poised to be the man to lead that transformation. While the move raised eyebrows, Johnson’s reputation for offensive innovation and his connection with young quarterbacks made it an enticing opportunity.
A Ruthless Overhaul: Johnson’s Early Changes
Upon taking the job in Chicago, Ben Johnson wasted no time in making sweeping changes that sent shockwaves throughout the organization. These changes were not merely cosmetic; they reflected his belief that the Bears had to completely reset their approach if they were to become competitive in the NFC North and the broader NFL landscape.
One of Johnson’s first and most talked-about decisions was to make a clean break from the past. The Bears’ offensive struggles over the years had been well-documented, and it became clear that Johnson intended to build something entirely new from the ground up. His ruthless approach included sweeping changes to both personnel and scheme.
1. Immediate Quarterback Decision: A New Era for Justin Fields?
The first major decision Johnson had to make was regarding the future of quarterback Justin Fields. Fields had shown flashes of brilliance during his first two years in Chicago, but his development was often hindered by a lack of offensive weapons, an inconsistent offensive line, and a coaching staff that failed to provide him with a clear, tailored plan for growth. While Fields possessed immense athletic talent and potential as a dual-threat quarterback, his accuracy and decision-making remained inconsistent.
Johnson’s reputation as a coach who could develop young quarterbacks was a key reason the Bears hired him, and he understood that his success in Chicago would be largely tied to the development of Fields. In his opening weeks as head coach, Johnson made it clear that Fields would be his guy. But this wasn’t a passive decision—Johnson’s ruthless change meant Fields would be pushed harder than ever before. Johnson was not content to simply work with Fields’ strengths; he aimed to fix the flaws in his game and make him into a complete quarterback.
Johnson immediately set to work on improving Fields’ mechanics and decision-making. His plan was simple: develop Fields into a pocket passer who could also use his legs when needed. He did this by designing a playbook that emphasized timing, quick reads, and a more methodical approach to passing. At the same time, he maintained the elements of Fields’ dual-threat capabilities, incorporating designed runs and play-action passes into the offense.
This change represented a major departure from the previous regime, which had largely relied on Fields’ athleticism without a clear plan to make him a better passer. For some, the decision was seen as a sign of Johnson’s ruthless commitment to success—he wasn’t going to settle for a system that didn’t maximize the potential of his quarterback.
2. Offensive Scheme: No More Status Quo
While Justin Fields’ development was at the center of Johnson’s changes, his offensive philosophy extended far beyond the quarterback position. One of Johnson’s first actions as head coach was to completely revamp the Bears’ offensive scheme. For years, Chicago’s offense had been characterized by a predictable, ground-and-pound attack that was often outdated in comparison to the high-flying offenses of other NFL teams. Johnson knew that for the Bears to compete at the highest level, they would need a modern, dynamic system.
Johnson implemented a wide-open offense, much like the one he ran in Detroit. He introduced a more aggressive passing game that utilized motion, quick throws, and an emphasis on creating mismatches for opposing defenses. The Bears’ offense, previously stuck in the 1990s in terms of philosophy, was now given a facelift—Johnson’s offense was fast-paced, versatile, and unpredictable.
Additionally, Johnson placed a strong emphasis on the tight end position, recognizing that in today’s NFL, a versatile tight end could be a quarterback’s best friend. In Chicago, this meant using tight ends as both blockers and receiving threats, stretching defenses vertically and horizontally. He immediately worked to bring in more talent at the position and utilized existing players like Cole Kmet more effectively in his system.
3. The Personnel Shakeup: Roster Decisions and Free-Agent Moves
In addition to altering the team’s offensive strategy, Johnson made it clear that personnel changes were also necessary. The Bears had struggled to build a complete roster, especially at the skill positions. While they had some promising players, such as Fields and wide receiver Darnell Mooney, the roster needed a significant influx of talent if it was to compete in the NFC North.
One of Johnson’s first moves was to address the wide receiver position. Despite having some promising pieces, the Bears had struggled to consistently surround Fields with playmakers. Johnson knew that in order to unlock Fields’ potential, he needed to build an offense that could stretch the field and create explosive plays. As a result, Johnson aggressively pursued free agents who could provide the speed, hands, and versatility to make a real impact.
The most notable of these moves came when Johnson convinced a top-tier wide receiver to sign with the Bears, further signaling his ruthless approach to building a competitive roster. The acquisition was seen as a major shift in the team’s philosophy—no longer would the Bears simply rely on what they had; they were now actively trying to build a contender.
4. Coaching Staff Changes: Creating a Winning Culture
The final piece of the puzzle for Johnson was his overhaul of the coaching staff. While some familiar faces were retained, Johnson brought in several new coaches with a shared vision of building a fast, aggressive, and innovative team. He wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions, parting ways with assistants who weren’t aligned with his philosophy or vision for the future.
This ruthless approach to the coaching staff was part of Johnson’s broader strategy to create a winning culture in Chicago—one that emphasized discipline, accountability, and forward-thinking strategies. He recognized that a culture of winning didn’t just start on the field; it had to be instilled in every facet of the organization.
The Road Ahead: Will the Changes Pay Off?
The changes made by Ben Johnson in his early days as head coach of the Chicago Bears are undoubtedly bold and significant. His decisions to overhaul the roster, implement a modern offensive scheme, and commit to the development of Justin Fields represent a complete shift in the team’s approach to the game.
However, whether these changes will ultimately lead to success remains to be seen. The NFL is a league where success is often determined by how well a team can execute its game plan week in and week out. Johnson’s ruthless changes have set the stage for a promising future, but there are no guarantees in professional sports.
That said, one thing is certain: Ben Johnson is not afraid to make difficult decisions. His willingness to tear down the old and build up the new could be exactly what the Bears need to finally return to relevance in the NFC North and beyond. As the season progresses, the football world will be watching closely to see if Johnson’s bold moves can pay off. If they do, it could mark the beginning of a new era of success for the Chicago Bears.
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