If you are wondering how the Chicago Bears were able to move so quickly to strike a deal with Ben Johnson, just know that you are not alone. This thing moved quickly and stunningly to the point where I am still a bit slack-jawed in amusement and amazement that this got done. Thankfully, we are starting to see pieces come together that explain how we got here.
One such piece of new information comes from Dianna Russini and the Scoop City podcast. The Athletic’s Senior NFL insider chopped it up with her podcast partner, former Bears backup quarterback Chase Daniel, in a special Ben Johnson-focused episode after the news broke yesterday. Among the nuggets and tidbits in this episode is a mention by Russini that Johnson wanted the Bears job LAST YEAR:
“Remember, he wanted this Bears job last year. Remember the Bears stuck with Matt Eberflus. They rolled it out, it is what it is, and we know what happened there. He’s had his eyes on Chicago. And I do think with all the options on the table and you’re listening to so many different people โ and there were a lot of people in his ear. I’ve talked to people who talked to him and it’s like everybody’s just chatting with him and telling him what he should do he’s open to guidance and thought.”
You should have seen my eyes bulge out of my head when I heard the anecdote above from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. The Bears were on Ben Johnson’s radar all along? Of course they were!
I suppose that would go a long way toward explaining why Johnson went from being a lock to being the Washington Commanders’ next coach to pulling out of that derby and returning to the Detroit Lions for another year. Considering the smoke and noise coming from that situation, I remember it being pretty jarring that Johnson took his name out of the running for some notable head coaching positions. But all is well that ends well, especially when it ends with the Bears getting one of the hottest head coaching prospects in recent memory.
And then there is this, which I wrote on Jan. 30, 2024, in reaction to the news that Ben Johnson was sticking around with the Lions for another year (the bold emphasis is mine):
As former Tribune investigative reporter Bill Recktenwald (R.I.P.) used to tell me: โRule No. 1 is follow the money. Rule No. 2 is see rule No. 1.โ When in doubt, follow the money โฆ and reports about money โฆ and stories about money. Oftentimes, it all goes back to that.
Now, perhaps there is more at play. Maybe Ben Johnson isnโt a great interview. Or it could be that Johnson is just being picky about the jobs that are still available. Perhaps Johnson wants to coach Caleb Williams so bad that he is secretly holding out hope that Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus flames out and he gets to step right into a potentially good quarterbacking situation.
What is the opposite of Cold Takes Exposed? That paragraph above should be sent to whatever that place is (if it exists). All things considered, that was a safe bet to make on his part. It doesn’t take reaching into the depths of my creativity to imagine Ben Johnson standing on the opposite sideline from Matt Eberflus saying “Just wait ’til next year and see what I do with Caleb Williams.”
Dianna Russini and the Scoop City Podcast on Ben Johnson
The Ben Johnson-centric episode of the Scoop City podcast is a must-listen for Chicago Bears fans who want to get some additional insight on the team’s new head coach. You can check it out in full below: