Breaking: The Bears Coaching Search Just Took a Dramatic Turn: Rival QB Guru Emerges as the Top Candidate for the Job
The Chicago Bears have just gotten their head coaching search underway after firing Matt Eberflus less than one week ago, but one name is already popping up more than all the rest.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic appeared on the Tuesday, Dec. 3 edition of “The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz” podcast and revealed who that person is as well as why he is already the leader in the clubhouse for what should be one of the best jobs available in the NFL during the upcoming head coaching cycle.
“Ben Johnson, Detroit’s offensive coordinator, is the big name that everyone’s talking about in terms of going to Chicago because he’s proved he knows what he’s doing and probably can get the most out of [quarterback] Caleb [Williams],” Russini said.
Thomas Brown is currently the Bears interim head coach after starting the year as the team’s pass game coordinator. He moved up to offensive coordinator after Eberflus fired Shane Waldron mid-season and now has five games to prove he is ready for the top job on the sideline.
If Brown, who has a good relationship with Williams already and is/will be the play caller for the remainder of the campaign, excels then he should get a real look from the Bears’ decision makers.
President and CEO of the franchise Kevin Warren made clear during a press conference on Monday that he will be involved in that decision alongside general manager Ryan Poles, who will keep his job despite the departure of Eberflus.
“This will be the most coveted job in the National Football League this year, and Ryan and I need to work hand-in-hand together to make sure we bring that to life, not only from a head coach standpoint but from an entire staff standpoint,” Warren said.
Warren added that he’s seeking a “leader of men” to take over as head coach, though someone like Johnson whose top skills include being an offensive guru and QB whisperer — he’s helped turn Lions quarterback Jared Goff into an MVP candidate this season — should have a strong chance to land the job.
