Did Ben Johnson Just Send Bears A Message? It Sure Looks Like It

Anybody who has followed the build-up to the 2025 coaching cycle will say the hottest name on the circuit is Ben Johnson. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is about to finish his third straight season with a top five offense. He’s managed to do it without a genuine superstar at quarterback. As the Chicago Bears have fired Matt Eberflus, it was inevitable that Johnson would be connected to them. However, there is an added wrinkle. Albert Breer and Adam Schefter have both now hinted that the coach has some degree of interest in the Bears job.

Most would assume it’s because he wanted the chance to work with Caleb Williams. It’s safe to assume the organization hopes to meet with Johnson at some point next month. There could be a problem, though. Breer gave an update on the situation ahead of Thursday night’s matchup with Green Bay. He stated that Johnson won’t go chasing any job. He has certain conditions he hopes are met. One of the biggest is “alignment” between himself on the general manager.

If that is true, the Bears are in a serious dilemma.

Ben Johnson may not want to work with Ryan Poles.

That isn’t necessarily because he doesn’t respect the Bears GM. It is more about not being sure of Poles’ job security. Kevin Warren announced that the organization plans to keep him on and that he will lead the search for a new head coach. One would think that offers some guarantees that he isn’t going anywhere. That said, he’s been part of three straight losing seasons in Chicago. If there is another one next year, what’s to stop the Bears from just firing him? Suddenly, whoever the next coach is will be stuck waiting for them to hire a new one.

According to the update, Ben Johnson does not want any part of that. This means that if the Bears are serious about hiring him, they need to consider one of two options. Either they have to fire Poles and hire a GM Johnson would approve, or they must find a way to convince him that Poles is in zero danger of losing his job. Maybe that can be done with a contract extension of some kind. Whatever the case, it’s clear Johnson won’t simply jump at the Bears job because it’s available. He will need assurances of stability.