Ben Johnson was one of the hottest head coaching prospects before the offseason even kicked off. Johnson’s work with the Detroit Lions had won him several suitors.
However, NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Chris Simms highlighted that Johnson’s linking with the Chicago Bears is the perfect match for both parties.
Chris Simms Is a Fan of Ben Johnson Going to the Chicago Bears
Johnson joined the Lions in 2019 and rose through the ranks to become the offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell in 2022. With Johnson as the OC, the Lions enjoyed their best seasons in decades.
It was expected that he was on the radar of several teams. However, during his appearance on the “CHGO Bears” podcast, Simms pointed out that Johnson and the Bears made the correct choice.
“This was always the match made in heaven to me, was Ben Johnson-Chicago,” he said. “To me, if I was Ben Johnson, I was always like, man, Chicago is where I’d want to go if I were him. And then if I was at, looking at from Chicago standpoint, I was always like, they need a guy like Ben Johnson.”
Simms further highlighted that Johnson could be one of the best OC-to-head-coach stories of our time. “Ben Johnson, for my money, is the best OC about to be head coach since Shanahan and McVay,” Simms said. “It’s a no-brainer. His offense is on another level than most people in all of the NFL.”
“It is in the stratosphere of the Shanahans. And in a lot of ways, I would say it’s more creative than McVay. I’m not saying it’s necessarily more successful always but more creative.”
Jared Goff Is Not Thrilled With Johnson at the Bears
Goff and Johnson terrorized several defenses. But now that his former OC has linked up with his divisional rivals, the quarterback revealed his thoughts during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“He’s (Johnson) a guy that’s made a ton of difference in my career,” said Goff. “I’m obviously a big fan of his. I was joking with him — I wish he didn’t have to be in our division, so I didn’t have to try to beat him twice a year.”
“He’s going to do a great job. Hopefully not too good, though, with us being in the division together still. I’ll always be a fan of his and we’ll always have a good relationship.”