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7 winners and losers from the Bears reportedly hiring Ben Johnson

cory woodroof
·2 min read
Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson speaks to the media during the Detroit Lions training camp at the Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Mich. on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson speaks to the media during the Detroit Lions training camp at the Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Mich. on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Chicago Bears have reportedly hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach.

This is, to be blunt, a big dang deal for the Windy City.

The red-hot Lions offensive play-caller was the biggest name available in this head coaching cycle, and he'll now reportedly join a Bears team in desperate need of maximizing the potential of quarterback Caleb Williams.

A hire this seismic brings about some clear winners and losers in the process. Let's break down who they are and why they fall on either side of this reported move.

Winner: Bears fans

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 24: Chicago Bears fans cheer during the game between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775374764 ORIG FILE ID: 1189794720
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 24: Chicago Bears fans cheer during the game between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775374764 ORIG FILE ID: 1189794720

Congratulations to all Bears fans. You reportedly did it. You reportedly got your guy. Soak it in. Ben Johnson is reportedly yours!

Winner: Caleb Williams

Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Nobody wins more than Williams, who reportedly gets the NFL's most exciting play-caller as his next head coach. What those two can do together could be really special.

Loser: Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Fox color commentator Tom Brady before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Fox color commentator Tom Brady before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Sorry, Raiders. The franchise will reportedly have to look elsewhere for a head coach. Brady's involvement as a limited partner with the franchise apparently couldn't seal the deal. The lack of a settled starter at quarterback also looms here.

Loser: the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts to a play against Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts to a play against Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This stinks for the Lions. The team reportedly losing Johnson to a division rival right after a playoff loss is about as bad as this could've gone.

Loser: All the other teams who might have wanted Ben Johnson

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) jogs off the field after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880924 ORIG FILE ID: 20240929_tjt_at5_042.JPG
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) jogs off the field after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880924 ORIG FILE ID: 20240929_tjt_at5_042.JPG

Sorry, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. Johnson is reportedly off the market.

Winner: Ryan Poles

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 22: Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775992347 ORIG FILE ID: 1750366089
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 22: Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles walks the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field on October 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775992347 ORIG FILE ID: 1750366089

Poles has to feel like a winner here. He reportedly now gets to work with Johnson to build up Chicago into a contender as opposed to being shuffled out of the Matt Eberflus regime.

Winner: Other NFL offensive coordinators trying to get a head coaching job

Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady on th field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Guys like Joe Brady, Liam Coen and Kellen Moore should have a clearer pathway to jobs in this cycle now with Johnson reportedly out of the picture.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 7 winners and losers from the Bears reportedly hiring Ben Johnson