The Ravens will face the Bears next season, and Caleb Williams will have reinforcements after Chicago hired Ben Johnson as its next head coach.
Johnson, one of the NFL’s top young offensive innovators, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 after spending three seasons with the Lions in multiple coaching staff roles. He came to Detroit in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and was heavily involved in the passing game during Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell’s first season there.
A new day in Chicago: The #Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach, per sources.
Johnson is set to fly there soon and contract parameters are in place. Barring a last-minute snag, the #Lions OC lands with an NFC North rival. pic.twitter.com/Y1i4lRtpw5
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2025
In 2023, Johnson guided the offense to rank near the top of the NFL in several major categories. The club finished the season second in passing offense, third in total offense, and fifth in both rushing offense and points per game. The club’s lethal offensive production was integral to Johnson’s being named a finalist for AP Assistant Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Johnson is one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. In his three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, he led the Lions to the top five in total yards and points scored. The Raiders are fresh off a 2024 season in which they finished bottom-six in both categories, so Johnson would boost their lackluster offense regardless of who is at quarterback.