Why the Bears' hiring of Ben Johnson is extra sweet

The Chicago Bears made a splash hiring Ben Johnson their new head coach. That guarantees nothing but it showed a progressive approach to getting their team back into postseason contention. After years of making the wrong decision, there seems to be a consensus that this was a great move.

Chicago put all of their faith in quarterback Caleb Williams when they selected him first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had a solid rookie season for a guy who was on a bad team, had three offensive coordinators, two head coaches and led the league in sacks. To become great as a team, they need him to turn into a superstar QB. Bringing in Johnson, one of the top offensive football minds in the world, is a big step.

But not did this move make the Bears better, it also made the Detroit Lions worse. Since Johnson took over as their offensive coordinator, their offense with quarterback Jared Goff became elite. Now, the future of this group is cloudy with him gone. It is on Lions head coach Dan Campbell and his staff to make the right hire to replace Johnson.

They can play at a high level in the post-Johnson era but it just got a whole lot harder. The schemes and trick plays he had in his back pocket worked so well for that offense. It will be hard to replicate it. Now, that brain is with the Bears.

If you're the Lions, you can look at it like this. Coordinators leaving for head coaching positions means that you had a great team. The talent that Detroit has had a lot to do with Johnson's success as they have an elite offensive line, a good quarterback, and tons of weapons. With that said, there is no doubt that they will miss him. He is likely not the only coordinator who will be leaving either. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is likely going to take a head coaching job somewhere, as well. The interviews continue to come for him as he looks to take the next step in his coaching career as well.

As of right now, the Lions are still the class of the NFC North until further notice. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are also right there as they showed in 2024. The Bears have a long way to go, but it doesn't hurt to get better while weakening a division rival all at the same time. It may be a new day in Chicago.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Why the Bears' hiring of Ben Johnson is extra sweet