Windy City Gridiron
I asked my WCG and 2nd City Gridiron teammates four questions about the Chicago Bears’ ongoing head coaching search, and we’ll share the responses in the coming days.
The first question was the obvious one: Who is the one candidate that you’d be 100% pleased with the Bears hiring?
Our answer is nearly unanimous, but the recent buzz around Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders could leave our crew disappointed.
Bill Zimmerman: It’s Ben Johnson, but I don’t think the expectation should be that the Bears land him at this point. I think there’s more and more smoke of Johnson headed to the Raiders, and I think it would be wise for Bears fans to start bracing for that outcome.
Jeff Berckes: The same answer I started talking about in October of 2023 - it’s Ben Johnson. He crafted an offense specifically for Jared Goff and his skillset, and it’s only gotten better over three years. There are many reasons the Lions are the number one seed in the NFC, but the top reason, in my opinion, is Johnson. I’m confident he would come to Chicago and do the same with Caleb Williams.
Jacob Infante: It’s Ben Johnson. It has to be. He’s the best offensive play-caller in the NFL who isn’t currently occupying a head coaching position. He has resurrected Jared Goff’s career and helped transform Detroit from a laughingstock into a juggernaut. He’s the top guy.
Mongo Peanut: Ben Johnson. I understand the appeal of old hats like McCarthy, Carroll, and Tomlin, but I want to take a big swing. The only way I see the Bears emerging from their hibernation is if they can find the right guy to match Caleb Williams’ potential, and they collectively break through the agonizingly dysfunctional organization surrounding them. Ben Johnson is riskier in nature, but I think he has the best chance to break through the mediocrity.
Bryan Orenchuk: Ben Johnson. Weakening the division champ whilst gaining a play caller with proven track record against our rivals is the easiest choice since Caleb Williams.
TJ Starman: This would’ve been tough for me to answer a week ago, but with Mike Vrabel officially taking over in New England, there is really only one answer left for me here, and that is Ben Johnson. We’ve seen his offensive expertise on display in Detroit and the idea of aligning that vision with a quarterback prospect like Caleb Williams is the stuff of myth for Bears fans. I’m also encouraged by his patient approach in his pursuit of a head coaching position over the last few years.
Erik Duerrwaechter: It’s Ben Johnson, period. You can check out part two of my extravaganza series for a detailed answer.
Aaron Leming: It’s got to be Ben Johnson, right? I’m on record as saying that I don’t love this coaching pool but Johnson feels like a must. Even if he fails, I don’t think there will be a single person who can objectively...
