Saturday was a key day for the Chicago Bears in their head coaching search. The Bears held a virtual interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
How the meeting went is important for the Bears and Johnson’s camp, as a third variable is permeating Halas Hall: Mike Vrabel.
The Chicago Bears must make a decision on Mike Vrabel immediately
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Unlike Johnson, Vrabel can be hired by the Bears, and more importantly, the New England Patriots, immediately. Chatter in league circles has it that the Patriots are leaning toward hiring Vrabel, and Chicago would likely have to hurry to hire Vrabel before waiting for Johnson to be available to interview in person later in January.
At least one member of the Bears’ brass appears to prefer Johnson.
Ryan Poles wants Ben Johnson
Per DaBearsBlog, Johnson wants the Bears job and Poles would prefer to give it to him.
“People keep overthinking this Ben Johnson stuff. He WANTS the Bears job,” DBB posted on X. “Now…do the Bears want him? (I know Poles does.)”
People keep overthinking this Ben Johnson stuff. He WANTS the Bears job. Now…do the Bears want him? (I know Poles does.)
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) January 11, 2025
DBB didn’t mention how CEO Kevin Warren and the rest of the Bears’ brass feel about Johnson.
In a subsequent post, DBB doubled down on his report that Johnson Chicago to hire him.
“I would say he wants the Bears job because I know he wants the Bears job,” DBB wrote. “I’m not altogether interested in what you’d say. But the Bears are interviewing a dozen people.”
I would say he wants the Bears job because I know he wants the Bears job. I’m not altogether interested in what you’d say.
But the Bears are interviewing a dozen people. https://t.co/wwpiGdBvEd
— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) January 11, 2025
The Chicago Bears aren’t the only team that wants Johnson
Johnson has been selective during this hiring cycle, choosing not to interview with the New York Jets. Per NFL Media, he’s also met with the Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Raiders are “enamored” by Johnson.
“He has quickly emerged as the candidate to watch for Las Vegas, as the Raiders — in a search that prominently includes limited partner Tom Brady — are willing to wait as long as it takes to secure their potential future head coach,” per NFL Media. “Jed Hughes of the firm Korn Ferry is assisting with that search, according to me and NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo. Las Vegas is said to be enamored with Johnson, sources say.”
Are the bears more enamored?
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