The Chicago Bears have completed a majority of their first round interviews for the biggest head coaching vacancy in franchise history. Some of the conversations were rumored to be positive between a handful of candidates, where other meetings did not go so great. Ben Johnson remains a name that fans are pounding the table for, but it appears that the Bears have heavy competition for the offensive guru and are no longer the favorites to land his services.
The Chicago Bears need to worry with Ben Johnson and the Raiders
The biggest rumor surrounding Johnson in this hiring cycle is that Tom Brady is doing all that he can to lure him to Las Vegas. Due to his role as a minority owner of the Raiders, the greatest quarterback of all time can certainly have an impact on where Johnson chooses to go this offseason.
Johnson and Brady will be around each other this upcoming weekend, as Brady will be on the call for the Detroit vs. Washington game in the divisional round.
Tom Brady will get to spend some time around Ben Johnson next weekend https://t.co/CCtuIgQFgx
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 13, 2025
It is not likely that Brady and Johnson will talk about the Raiders job while the Lions offensive coordinator is getting ready to begin his playoff journey, but the two of them in the same vicinity doesn’t bode well for the Bears.
For an individual in Johnson’s shoes, it is hard to say no to a person of Brady’s stature. Getting to share offensive philosophies and operating the team together is something that a head coaching candidate like Johnson can only dream of.
Another big appeal for Johnson in Las Vegas would be the more control he would have if that’s the route he elects to go. The team just relieved Tom Telesco of his duties as general manager right after the season came to a close. Telesco lasted just one year as the Raiders general manager and he was shown the door along with former head coach Antonio Pierce.
Johnson arriving on the scene along with a new general manager is a very promising aspect of the opening in Las Vegas. He would be in sync with the new GM and wouldn’t have to worry about any potential job security issues that could possibly come up elsewhere.
The Chicago Bears would strike out if they don’t land Ben Johnson
Amid the news of Mike Vrabel agreeing to become the next head coach of the New England Patriots, the Bears missing out on Johnson would send the fanbase into a frenzy. Entering this cycle, many believed that Chicago had to land either Vrabel or Johnson as the next head coach of the franchise.
Not getting either one of them would be a massive loss to the organization and would leave them scrambling to find the right guy to lead the ship. Fans are already panicking over the thought of Johnson heading to Vegas.
Ben Johnson will go to Las Vegas. Read Chicago was the favorite, but not so much after the meeting with them.
I believe Ron Rivera will get the Bears job.— mario (@LAguy64) January 13, 2025
Ben Johnson will sign with LV, not because it’s a better situation, but because the bears are that inept!
— Lar (@rehmann_l) January 12, 2025
Ben Johnson leaning toward the Las Vegas #Raiders? Seems like the Chicago #Bears have their sights set on another option… https://t.co/3Yb9hj0gBY
— Frank Grizzly. (@FrankGrizzly) January 12, 2025
There are still options for the Bears on both sides of the ball if they miss out on Detroit’s offensive guru. Pete Carroll, Anthony Weaver, Aaron Glenn and Todd Monken are just a handful of names that the front office could pivot to if needed. A recent report shows that the Bears could attempt to make another run at Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, despite the 38-year-old just having signed a new contract with the Irish.
There is no denying that the Bears missing out on Johnson would be a colossal failure. Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren should be prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure they can secure him in order for Caleb Williams to be in the best position possible entering his second season in the league.
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