2. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley
When Johnson seemed like a lock to take the Washington Commanders head coaching job around a year ago, it was out there that Fraley (a Maryland native) could follow him as the offensive coordinator. Fraley is now an easy internal candidate to replace Johnson as the Lions' offensive coordinator, and he has interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks for their offensive coordinator post.
The Bears need to fix their offensive line, and they should devote significant resources to that. Johnson may not able to sell Fraley on following him for a lateral job move, but maybe a promotion to offensive coordinator (albeit where he wouldn't call plays) would help convince him to do it.
After the Lions' season ended, it's fair to assume Johnson talked with Fraley about the possibility of going with him to wherever he took a head coaching job. It's unclear how it being the Bears impacts Fraley's desire to follow Johnson, if it impacts it at all and if he even has any desire to leave the Lions right now.
Update, Jan. 21: John Maakaron of SI.com reported he's hearing "growing thoughts" Johnson will try to bring Fraley to Chicago.
I am hearing there are growing thoughts Ben Johnson will try and bring Hank Fraley with him to Chicago Bears
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) January 21, 2025
1. Passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand
Engstrand just completed his third season as Lions' passing game coordinator, and he is another easy internal candidate to replace Johnson as the offensive coordinator in Detroit. But there has been some noticeable stuff out there about the prospect of him following Johnson.
In December John Maakaron of SI.com reported Johnson was better prepared for the interview process this time around, specifically in terms of a plan for putting together a coaching staff. Maakaron also had some insight into who could follow Johnson to his new coaching staff.
"Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand could potentially depart with Johnson to become his offensive coordinator", Maakaron wrote.
NFL reporter Josina Anderson more recently specifically noted the Jacksonville Jaguars' job in a mention of Engstrand, but it's safe to say the sentiment holds up to wherever Johnson was going to ultimately land as a head coach.
"Speaking of staff, I would not be surprised if Johnson tries to add Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand as well", Anderson wrote.
Engstrand will surely get some consideration to replace Johnson, and maybe he explores that quickly first with the idea he could call plays for the Lions. But if he's not married to the idea of being a play-caller with his first step to being an NFL offensive coordinator, and he is unlikely to call plays under Johnson, a move to Chicago is very well in-play.