Without even coaching a game for the Chicago Bears yet, Ben Johnson has got the entire Windy City believing in the franchise again. On Saturday, Johnson had an opportunity to soak in his new stardom by throwing out the first pitch for the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs ultimately came away with a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, after Johnson threw a fastball to relief pitcher Brad Keller. Fans at Wrigley Field watched on, cheering for the head coach. The excitement around Johnson has gone past the gridiron and reached the diamond.
Before the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that he had an opportunity to meet Johnson and his family. As the new Bears head coach prepares for his first year on the job, Counsel thinks he has all the tools in front of him to succeed, via Jeff Vorva of the Chicago Tribune.
“It’s all in front of him and that’s what’s kind of cool. That’s what you kind of think when you are meeting him. You are thinking, ‘You have a great, great future in front of you and you have challenges in front of you and you have a lot of fun in front of you.’”
Alongside his coaching acumen, Johnson’s fastball caught Counsell’s eye.
“I thought it was pretty good,” Counsell said of the pitch. “I hope he told Brad that was coming, because that was some gas.”
Ben Johnson preparing for year one with Chicago Bears
Based on his work with the Detroit Lions, Johnson had his pick of the litter when it came to his next NFL franchise. Over time it became a matter of when, not if Johnson would become an NFL head coach. During the 2025 hiring cycle, he was coveted by nearly every team with a vacancy.
To take it a step further, Johnson even declined the Washington Commanders’ coaching offer in 2024 while they were on a plane to interview him. Overall, the now head coach was patient and diligent before signing on to join a new franchise.
Which is very telling that Johnson chose the Bears. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2010. They’re coming off of a 5-12 season that was filled with dysfunction. While the $13 million a year contract didn’t hurt, Johnson saw greener pastures in Chicago.
Now, he will be tasked with helping the Bears get back into contention. In Counsell’s words, Johnson has ‘it all in front of him.’ It’s up to the new head coach to put all of the Chicago-sized puzzle pieces together successfully.
Johnson’s first order of business
Johnson’s primary goal in year one is setting a new foundation and culture. The Bears have been in the NFC North cellar and a laughing stock of the league through two head coaches now. Johnson must find a way to reverse the narrative and help the team get to a point where they find continued success.
For that to happen, it starts and stops with quarterback Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall pick in 2024 didn’t live up to expectations, especially with No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels running away with Rookie of the Year honors. Still, Williams completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions as a rookie. Not the most eye-popping numbers, but it’s not like the quarterback fell on his face.
Instead, Williams was a prime factor driving Johnson to Chicago. He certainly wanted a quarterback in place if he was going to be a head coach. Johnson believes Williams is worth the hype and has elite traits. The head coach has now tied his coaching career to Williams’ development.
Throughout the offseason program, the pair will be glued at the hip. Williams went through numerous play callers as a rookie, hindering his progression. Now, he has one focal voice to lean on. And if Johnson is the offensive leader he was with the Detroit Lions, then Williams is in good hands.
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