The Las Vegas Raiders pulled out all the stops to convince Ben Johnson to take their job before the 39-year-old offensive mind chose to sign with the Chicago Bears on Monday afternoon.
The Raiders had minority owner Tom Brady, an open general manager job, and money on their side. The Bears have Caleb Williams, a general manager who has done so poorly he’s on the hot seat, and a roster with serious issues in the trenches on the offensive or defensive line.
Questions surrounded Caleb Williams’ desire to join the Bears before the 2024 draft because of Chicago’s notorious inability to put a rookie quarterback in a situation to succeed. Williams responded by saying that the Bears did indeed have a good situation, as the team’s 2023 record showed the roster was better than what most No. 1 picks would walk into.
Lol.
Sorry, Caleb, Ryan Poles is hoping he fixed that now after hiring OC Shane Waldron (by hiring his second head coach without an in-person interview).
The reason Ben Johnson chose the Chicago Bears
Credit:
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Per Vincent Bonsignore of Vegas Nation, Johnson chose the Bears because they have a “better overall situation” than the Raiders, even though Las Vegas has other intriguing pieces.
“Per source: Ben Johnson choosing the better overall situation, including young quarterback in place with the Bears, over the money the Raiders were prepared to offer, the chance to help pick the next GM and opportunity to work with Tom Brady,” Bonsignore posted on X.
Per source: Ben Johnson choosing the better overall situation, including young quarterback in place with the @Bears, over the money the @Raiders were prepared to offer, the chance to help pick the next GM and opportunity to work with Tom Brady.
It's onto Plan B for the Raiders
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) January 20, 2025
Johnson and the Bears chose a risky path
Bonsignore and George Ofman had several reports in the previous two weeks suggesting Johnson’s camp was close to the Raiders. Those reports appear to have strategic leverage for Johnson’s camp to use in negotiations with the Bears.
Johnson is making a risky choice by joining an organization that has serious questions about the power structure and a GM who’s on the hot seat.
The Bears are taking a chance on a coach with zero experience as a head coach, and whose offense has benefited from having the league’s best offensive line, a great receiver corps, and a top backfield.
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Here’s how long new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has eyed the job
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