Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has agreed to a deal to become the Chicago Bears’ next head coach, Priority Sports, the agency that represents him, announced on social media Monday.
Johnson, who has been the Lions’ offensive coordinator the past three seasons, will fill the job vacated by Matt Eberflus when he was fired on Nov. 29. Johnson will be the 19th head coach in the franchise’s 105-year existence.
Johnson, 38, was available to be hired after the Lions — the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs — were stunned on Saturday night by the Washington Commanders.
A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Johnson is already working on assembling his staff, with former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen the leading candidate be hired as Chicago’s defensive coordinator. The Bears are also heavily pursuing Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi to be their special teams coordinator, sources told Schefter.
The Bears conducted a virtual interview with Johnson on Jan. 11 during the Lions’ first-round bye. He also interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots.
Chicago interviewed 17 candidates for its head coach vacancy; three of the interviews were conducted in person with former Commanders/Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and current Tennessee State coach Eddie George.
Johnson, known for his innovative playcalling, has coached the Lions to top-10 offenses the past two seasons, including second overall and No. 1 in points scored when they finished this season 15-2.
The Bears finished 5-12 this season, last in the NFC North standings. Since George Halas retired following the 1967 season, only one of the past 12 Bears full-time coaches has had a winning record in his first season: Matt Nagy, who led Chicago to an NFC North title and 12-4 finish in 2018.
Johnson inherits a Bears team that owns the No. 10 pick (as well as four selections in the top 72) and a projected $74.8 million in salary cap space (fourth most).
