Ben Johnson instantly became a hot head coaching candidate during his first season as Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, and he was similarly regarded in last offseason's hiring cycle. Both times, he removed himself from consideration and stayed in Detroit before the interview process seemed to be fully fleshed out for him.
Johnson is of course again shaping up to be a top head coaching candidate after this season, and he put his play-calling acumen on full display for one possible suitor already. It would clearly have to be the right fit for him to leave his post with the Lions, as he has made abundantly clear. A team's quarterback situation, either current or prospective, stands to be a driver of his interest in a job.
With a 2-7 record around this time last season, it seemed Matt Eberflus would be two-and-done as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. But five wins in the final eight games, as the defense played noticeably well, saved his job.
Ben Johnson reportedly wanted the Bears' job last offseason
Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer was on ESPN 1000 in Chicago Tuesday morning. The topic of Eberflus' job status was on the docket, after Sunday's dramatic loss to Washington.
Prompted by Johnson being mentioned as a possibility to replace Eberflus, within a question about the availability of other coaches playing into a decision the Bears would make after the season, Breer had some new and noteworthy insight about the Lions' offensive coordinator.
"He was definitely looking at the Chicago job last year,” Breer said. “There were some who said that was the one he wanted.”
In reaction to Breer's radio appearance, as expected and put together by Athlon Sports, Bears' fans are all about the idea of replacing Eberflus with Johnson. Some lamented the idea of keeping Eberflus if Johnson wanted the job after last season, assuming that interest was known to the Bears' organization.
The Bears of course have a highly-touted young quarterback in place (Caleb Williams), and some interesting pieces around him to appeal to an offensive mind like Johnson. If the winds of a coaching change actually blow Eberflus out the door after this season, maybe Johnson will have interest in the job again as he considers what should be multiple options for a head coaching job.