Ben Johnson, 38, was introduced Wednesday as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, marking the team’s 105-year history as its 19th. From his view as Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022 to ’24, Johnson saw the Bears as a “sleeping giant” and believes Caleb Williams is a key reason for his decision.
Johnson will not replicate the offense he ran in Detroit, but rather build one tailored to Williams’ strengths. The quarterback expressed excitement about the clarity provided by the team’s plans for him and praised Johnson for understanding that every player is unique. Johnson acknowledged that building a winning team requires more than just a single player.
One area Johnson aims to upgrade quickly is Chicago’s offensive line, which struggled with poor pass protection last season. Preliminary talks are underway to bolster the unit, and Johnson expressed his desire to replicate the strong play of his previous team’s offense. He looks forward to developing a plan for improvement and acquiring talent to strengthen the unit.
Johnson has already begun building relationships with key players, including Williams, who is excited about the coach’s emphasis on playing to his strengths and testing him in the offseason. With Johnson at the helm, the Bears are poised to make significant improvements, starting with the 2024 season.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43524481/ben-johnson-says-bears-offense-carbon-copy-lions