As Ben Johnson entered a third straight hiring cycle as a top candidate, it was possible to wonder if he had any real desire to leave his post as Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator. But in mid-December he removed all doubt when he was asked point-blank if he wanted to ever be a head coach. It would obviously have to be the right situation, but he wanted the test that comes with being a head coach.
"Yeah, I'd say this, I think there's a burning desire in every man to find what he's made out of and push the limits and see if he's got what it takes," Johnson said. "Yeah, there's a fire there. When that time is, I don't know when that would be, but there's certainly a fire there."
"That time" came on Jan. 20, two days after the Lions' season ended with a Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders when reports came that Johnson was leaving to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Lions fans have since had plenty of vitriol about Johnson, first citing how he couldn't possibly have been totally focused on a game plan for the Commanders after having multiple head coaching interviews a week-plus before the game.
Leaving for a division rival naturally leaves a sour taste in the mouths of Lions' fans, which was only added to by his words upon arrival at Bears' headquarters. And more recently, new Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen revealed when Johnson reached out to him.
The Bears did exactly what they had to to get Ben Johnson
According to Albert Breer of SI.com back in late-October, Johnson's interest in the Bears' head coaching job went back to the 2024 hiring cycle. But Matt Eberflus was retained, so it never came open.
Shy of whatever questions their might be about ownership/upper management, the Bears have an appealing situation. A young quarterback (Caleb Williams), a lot of other talent on the roster, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft (three top-75 picks) and plenty of cap space (sixth-most in the league).
ESPN's Courtney Cronin did a deep dive into the Bears' process to hire Johnson. Johnson apparently took a page out of Dan Campbell's book right away in his virtual interview, telling the Bears' brass, "I want this job."
Cronin noted how it's common for first-time head coaches to get a five-year contract. What was uncommon in Johnson's case is the money Cronin reported he got from the Bears.
"What's less common for first-time head coaches are substantial salaries. He's believed to be making $13 million per year, whereas Eberflus made $6 million. As one source put it, the Bears "didn't cut corners" when it came to paying Johnson."
So to do that easy math, Johnson got a five-year, $65 million contract from the Bears. A lot of other owners probably don't like them breaking the salary curve for a first-time head coach like that, but that's not their problem. The Bears knew what they had to do if they wanted Johnson, leaving aside his declaration about wanting the job. So they ponied up, and got him.
Now, Lions fans will hope doing so (metaphorically) blows up in their face. But with that kind of money on the table, Johnson really can't be blamed for taking the Bears' job.