NFL experts raving about Bears hiring of HC Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears concluded their search for a new head coach Monday with the hiring of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is finalizing a deal to become the 19th head coach in franchise history.

Johnson was considered the best candidate in this coaching cycle, and he was hired sought after as the Bears fended off the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars for his services. Johnson is known for his offensive prowess and leadership, and he's a perfect fit for Chicago.

While it’s far too early to evaluate Johnson as a head coach, the hire has come with a ton of praise from those across the NFL. He’s someone who’s hailed for his creativity, leadership and intensity that should help reinvigorate this Bears locker room.

Here’s what those around the NFL had to say about the Johnson hire for the Bears:

Dan Pompei

"What can the Bears expect from Ben Johnson? Some things that stand out from my time around him and the Lions: He's low on ego but big on analytics. He thinks creatively and will emphasize the run game and protections. Johnson will have a vision for what he wants to do with Caleb."

"He is likely to empower Caleb offensively. He gave Goff authority with protection adjustments that not all QBs have, and eliminated plays that Goff didn't love. Also, Bears will be going for it on fourth down -- Johnson was pushing for that before he had authority and before it became popular."

Kalyn Kahler

"One thing I know is Ben Johnson is he is intense. Lions OL Dan Skipper told me that he is sure to maintain a five-yard bubble around Johnson at all times during games, b/c, “you're bound to get dog-cussed like nothing you've ever been before. He's one of the most intense people you'll ever meet, and he doesn't put off like that, but he's incredibly intense and, like, don't get in his way.”

Peter Schrager

"Ben Johnson is a homerun hire. You don't have to do flips to justify this hiring. Chicago got the belle of the ball."

Chris Emma

"League sources who know Ben Johnson have described him as a detail-oriented individual who's a perfectionist at heart, a leader ready to set a high standard. He brings a demanding presence that was sorely missing at Halas Hall."

Benjamin Solak

"Great outcome for Chicago. Extremely interested to see how Ben's offense changes for Caleb relative to Goff, but he's one of the best offensive minds in football, and Williams has so much talent. Dream pairing."

Mike Martz

"He’s a once-in-a-generation kind of coach. They just don’t come around very often like him.”

Tej Seth

"Ben Johnson's offense uses motion at a very high rate, uses play action at a very high rate, is personnel diverse and can use all types of run concepts. he sequences well and will mix in trick plays to throw off the defense the bears are getting a really good offensive designer and playcaller."

Mike Valenti

“You’re not getting one of these weird nerdy mad scientist assistants… Ben Johnson is an intense demanding football guy. He fits Chicago, you got the guy!”

Chad Johnson

"The creativity alone offensively will have Caleb playing on an elite level because the supporting cast will be used to their strengths instead of getting cardio in for 4 quarters."

Adam Hoge

"Underrated aspect of the Ben Johnson hire is the fact that he's faced the Bears defense six times in the last three years and that defense gave him trouble at times. He's well versed on the strengths/weaknesses on that side of the ball. Already knows the personnel well."

Tom Pelissero

"It's a dream hire for a lot of people, from the front office to the McCaskeys to Caleb Williams, who now gets one of the foremost offensive minds in the NFL working with him on a daily basis."

Patrick Finley

"Ben Johnson is the smartest decision Bears could’ve made. Will it work out? Who knows. But its a major victory for the franchise that they got the most defensible choice."

Dianna Russini

"He's going to Chicago because he's got the quarterback. He believes in Caleb Williams. There's a lot of people around the league that think that Caleb Williams is untapped talent."

Jon Greenberg

"The Bears got this right. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. The Bears got this right. We don’t know whether Ben Johnson is going to lead the Bears to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl, but at this pivotal moment for the consistently embattled charter franchise, he feels like the right guy for a very big job."

Kyle Brandt

Adam Rank

Stacey Dales

Chase Daniel

Danny Parkins

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: What's being said about new Bears head coach Ben Johnson