Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Who is Ben Johnson, the New Head Coach of Chicago Bears? Find Out All About Ben Johnson’s Coaching Career

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Ben Johnson, the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, rose to prominence as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024. Hired by Chicago, replacing Matt Eberflus, Johnson brings a track record of building elite offense, including leading the Lions to the NFL’s top-scoring unit in 2024. His innovative schemes emphasize creativity, play-action, and player development, helping revive Jared Goff’s career with over 4,000 passing yards in each of those years.

Bear down: Chicago is finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Bears are getting their man. pic.twitter.com/UwlLk3wNJZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025

Johnson’s meticulous attention to detail and passion for fundamentals have earned praise from various players across the league. Now tasked with elevating rookie sensation Caleb Williams and a talented Bears roster, Johnson aims to end Chicago’s playoff draught since 2010, trying to change the culture in the NFC North.

What Has Ben Johnson’s Coaching Career Been Like So Far?

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 11, 1986, Johnson grew up in a coaching family, his father, Don, was a high school principal and college coach. A state champion high school quarterback in North Carolina, he played college ball at UNC and began coaching as a graduate assistant at Boston College.

Coaching Career Prior to the NFL

Johnson was inspired by his offensive coordinator at UNC, John Snoop, and following in his footsteps, he was hired as a graduate assistant for the Boston College Eagles in 2009.

Coaching Career in the NFL

Later, Johnson was hired by the Miami Dolphins in February 2012 as an offensive assistant, and was later named assistant wide receivers coach in 2017 and promoted to wide receivers coach the following season.

Johnson was hired as an offensive quality coach for the Detroit Lions in 2019 and was promoted to tight ends coach in 2020. In 2022, he was promoted again to offensive coordinator and led the Lions to a top five offense with eight games over 30 points.

In 2023, Johnson stayed with the Detroit LIons despite being heavily pursued by the Carolina Panthers, and in 2024, Johnson helped the Lion become the top ranked offense and set multiple record.

Now in 2025, Johnson is the head coach for the Chicago Bears, which is a huge loss for the Lions. There are a lot of expectations on him, and we wonder if he can lead the Bears to a playoff appearance while elevating the entire roster.

The Ben Johnson era begins in Chicago

MINvsCHI— 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bRSNNNOgoh
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025

Did Ben Johnson Play in the NFL?

Ben Johnson, the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2025, has never played in the NFL. As mentioned earlier, he is a former high school state champion quarterback but has never played in the NFL. Johnson also played college football at University of North Carolina from 2004 to 2007, primarily as a backup. After college, he transitioned directly into coaching, without ever playing professionally.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.