Could the Bears possibly face their future head coach on Sunday?
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is “interested” in the job, according to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The news was announced just before the NFC North foes square off in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
“My understanding is that Ben Johnson is interested in the Bears job. He would be willing to listen.” Pelissero reported. “There's a lot to like about Chicago, including Caleb Williams, tons of cap space, additional draft resources, and a major market. They plan to break ground on a new stadium next year.”
The Lions defeated the Bears with relative ease, 34-17, on Sunday afternoon.
Detroit played an interesting role in the Bears' leadership change.
The Bears' loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving and then-coach Matt Eberflus' mismanagement of time in a series of games ended up being the straw that broke the camel's back.
Johnson is one of the most-touted NFL coaching candidates, so it's no surprise the Bears would be interested in their vacancy.
Johnson has previously been rumored to be in the running for jobs, including the command post held by Dan Quinn.
The Lions OC spoke earlier this year about not leaving the Lions for other opportunities, and when considering opportunities, he noted that the majority of coaches hired for head coaching vacancies last offseason will be out of work within three years. He said he expected it to be the case, and it became a hot topic of discussion. year.
“From that perspective, if we get the opportunity to go down that path, the question is how do we get to that second contract?” Prime Minister Johnson said this in May. “How can the stars align? I don't do it just for the sake of doing it. I love what I'm doing, I love it. I love where I'm at. My My family loves where we are, and I love the people I'm working with, so I'm not looking to go any other way just yet unless I really feel good about what's going on.”
