The move to the Bears hurts all Detroit Lions supporters. The offensive genius Ben Johnson led the Lions to NFL dominance and now he serves as head coach of the Chicago Bears. This transition feels uncomfortable. The news released on January 21, 2025, shocked everyone in the NFC North division. Johnson’s leadership drove Detroit’s offense to first place in 2024 scoring (33.2 points per game totaling over 564 points over the season) yet now he must rebuild the Bears’ team with top draft pick Caleb Williams.

People spread stories that Johnson did not fully support Detroit’s playoff campaign. On his St. Brown Podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown shared some details about Ben Johnson. “Trust me I know Ben and then he was as locked in as can be for that game so I am happy for him,”
Twitter users keep insisting Ben Johnson lacked motivation but Amon-Ra St. Brown asserts Johnson was fully engaged. Man, y’all need to chill. He was completely focused on his work according to St. Brown who spoke with him after the meeting. He didn’t know what course to take next.

Still, Johnson’s move stings. And to the Bears, no less? “It could’ve been the Jaguars, Raiders, or Bears,” St. Brown added. Guess he chose chaos.

Ben Johnson joins the Bears: A New Era begins at Halas Hall

As Ben Johnson entered Halas Hall on Tuesday to finalize his contract the Bears’ staff celebrated him with loud cheers and claps, it was as if the Avengers had assembled, the shootings were echoing in the hearts of their peers. As one of the most in-demand NFL head coach candidates this year at age 38, Ben Johnson came from his role as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.”Listen, thank you so much. My family and I are beyond excited,” Johnson said, expressing his bliss. “This is exactly where we wanted to be.”

He explained that building the Bears into a winning team would face strong opposition.”This is going to be a challenge,“ Despite Caleb Williams’s promising star (threw for 3,541 yards. Williams recorded 20 touchdown passes against six interceptions,) the decided to take the Bears from their last-place standing with a 5-12 record. “I’m well aware of that. I know what this division is about. And this is exactly where we want to be.“

Johnson told his team they needed to come together, unite as a flock of bears, and lead by example to reach their goal.  “We’re going to go after this thing, and it’s going to take all of us in this room,” he explained. “It’s nothing more important than that locker room and us serving that locker room and those players. They need to understand that. And they need to feel that from us every single day. And if we do that, the wins are going to come. The playoffs are going to come.” He concluded with a warm, “Can’t wait to get to know you guys. And thank you so much for the warm welcome.”

When Johnson joined the Detroit offense in 2022 he transformed Goff’s performance from a bad 2021 season that produced a Total QBR of 46. His quarterback rating improved to 63 because the new play system worked better. Johnson protected Goff 3% better from sacks which made him more effective in his passing plays. The key? It’s Johnson’s sauce. He’s is aware that transforming Caleb Williams into a new Jared Goff version will be challenging but if he manages it he could change the Chicago Bears’ history, and finally relive the legacy left behind by George Halas.