The Chicago Bears have officially announced the hiring of Ben Johnson as their new head coach, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the storied franchise. Johnson, 38, comes to the Bears after a successful three-season tenure as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, where he was a key figure in turning the Lions' offense into one of the most potent in the NFL.
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"We are elated to welcome Ben and his family to the Bears and the greatest city in the world," Bears owner George H. McCaskey said in a statement. "Ben's leadership, poise, preparation, and detail are evident. We certainly appreciate the first-class manner in which he approached this process. We are excited to see him lead our Bears."
General Manager Ryan Poles expressed his confidence in Johnson's ability to lead the team, saying, "A proven leader with winning pedigree and a mind toward innovation, we are excited to welcome Ben and his family to Chicago as our head coach. Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben's character, intelligence, leadership, and ability to connect. A progressive offensive mind, Ben's plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear."
Johnson's impressive track record in Detroit, where the Lions ranked in the top five in both yards and points during his tenure, made him a highly sought-after candidate. In 2024, the Lions finished No. 2 in yards and No. 1 in points, showcasing Johnson's ability to develop a high-powered offense.
"The Chicago Bears are a world-class franchise with a phenomenal history and incredible fanbase," Johnson said in his first statement as head coach. "I am thankful to George, Kevin [Warren], Ryan, and the entire organization for presenting me and my family with this tremendous opportunity. Having been on the opposing sideline, I can attest to how passionate Bears fans are about this city and their team, and I am honored to be their head coach."
Poles, who led the search for the next head coach, was joined by team president and CEO Kevin Warren, and McCaskey in the selection process. Warren, who worked closely with Poles during the search, emphasized Johnson's attention to detail and his journey to becoming head coach.
"I am grateful for the process that Ryan led, orchestrated, and executed, and I am honored to welcome Ben, as well as his wife, Jessica, and their children, Emory, Kennedy, and Halle, to our Chicago Bears family," Warren said. "Ben is meticulous about the details, doing what is right for the betterment of the greater being, and motivated to push the limits of whatever is required to become a champion."
As Johnson takes the reins of the Bears, there is an undeniable sense of optimism surrounding the franchise's future. The team's leadership is excited about what lies ahead, with a vision focused on creating a championship-caliber program.
"We have been blessed with the greatest, most revered responsibility in sports - provide the best fans in the world with championship-level execution in everything that we do," Warren concluded. "Today, we take our next step in that pursuit. As we embark on the next chapter of our storied franchise, we are energized by what lies ahead."
