On Monday morning, the Chicago Bears made a formal request to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Bears made other requests to interview several head coaching candidates, including Mike McCarthy and Arthur Smith.
Johnson is considered to be one of the top names on the market for the 2025 offseason. He has interviewed for head coaching gigs for the 2023 and 2024 offseasons but wound up with the Lions. There have been mixed reports as to whether Johnson chose not to accept a head coaching offer or whether he turned down team(s).
There have been multiple reports by ESPN and the NFL Network that Johnson doesn’t interview well. There are also serious questions about Johnson’s ability to lead a team, and whether those questions stem from said poor interviews also remains a possibility.
The Bears have questions for Johnson about his ability to lead that they aren’t asking from the rest of the pool of candidates.
The Chicago Bears make an odd request of Ben Johnson
Per well-known Chicago media figure George Ofman, Chicago is requesting Johnson give the team a “leadership” plan. Other coaches have to provide a plan to work with Caleb Williams.
“Told the Bears want Ben Johnson to offer them a leadership plan while other candidates are being asked to present a QB plan,” Ofman posted on X.
Told the Bears want Ben Johnson to offer them a leadership plan while other candidates are being asked to present a QB plan.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) January 6, 2025
Veterans want leadership
The Bears have a reason to ask Johnson to come up with a leadership plan. Players in the locker room would like their next coach to change the culture and provide discipline. Veteran players like Keenan Allen want a head coach with experience.
Johnson lacks head coaching experience but has a great offensive mind, or so he shows it with one of the most talented rosters in the league in up in Detroit.
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