2025 is off to a great start for the Chicago Bears. It started with a win on the road over their hated rivals up in Lambeau. And now, they have their new head coach in offensive guru, Ben Johnson. The fanbase was shocked when the franchise for the first time since...... well ever, landed the number one target in the coaching carousel. Do we know how he will be as a head coach? No, but the fact the Bears walked into the bar, saw the prettiest girl in the place and swept her off the feet, has to instill hope that this regime won't have the same ending as usual.
Sure, this relationship can end up in a hate-filled divorce like nearly every relationship in the league but maybe, just maybe, it is happily ever after time at Halas Hall.
But Ben is just one man. Who is going to complete his staff? According to reports, former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is the leading candidate to become Ben Johnson's defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. While his head coaching career has been a disappointing 26-53 between stops in Oakland and New Orleans. His defenses have remained strong when tasked to only focus on that side of the ball.
Looking at the 2021 season (his final as a DC), the Saints were fourth in in scoring defense (19.7 points per game), opponent net yards per play (5.08) and run defense (93.5 yards per game), seventh in total defense (318.2 net yards per game) and eighth in sacks (46). His aggressive style, featuring multiple looks will be a welcome change to the basic cover 2 shell life that has been occupying Soldier Field the last three seasons.
Looking at the 2021 season (his final as a DC), the Saints were fourth in in scoring defense (19.7 points per game), opponent net yards per play (5.08) and run defense (93.5 yards per game), seventh in total defense (318.2 net yards per game) and eighth in sacks (46). His aggressive style, featuring multiple looks will be a welcome change to the basic cover 2 shell life that has been occupying Soldier Field the last three seasons.
But who will help Ben Johnson bring the Bears offense into the 21st century? Right now, Hank Fraley, the Lions offensive line coach is the rumored top name. With Johnson, most likely keeping play calling duties, the Bears could go in may directions for this space. A hire like Fraley would be met with open arms in Chicago, especially by Caleb Williams.
Too often the Bears play calling and execution led to arguments about who to blame on sacks? Was Caleb holding the ball too long? Is Braxton Jones a legitimate left tackle? Does Nate Davis know he is allowed to touch the defensive tackle across from him?
All you need to do is read quotes from the Lions' Pro Bowl Center and All Pro left tackle to know the type of value he would bring to the team. I am not saying Darnell Wright will turn into Penei Sewell but if he starts playing up to his potential and the Bears continue their poaching of the Lions and bring in Kevin Zeitler to solidify the inside with Dan Skinner as the extra lineman. All of a sudden Ben Johnson isn't the only person in the room with any knowledge of the offense getting implemented.
The Bears will have to beat out the Seahawks who recently brought Fraley in for a second interview, as well as his current team the Lions, who can offer the same position. All three spots have different strengths and weaknesses. In Seattle, he would have play-calling powers since current HC, Mike Macdonald calls the defense. But he has to be wary that Macdonald has already gone through one OC after after he fired first-time NFL OC Ryan Grubb after one season. Detroit and Chicago both offer different levels of familiarity. In Chicago, he would have an expanded job role and get to mold a brand new room that likely will have three new starters. Also, he probably would be given an assistant head coach title despite a lack of play calling. But it'll probably be hard to top Detroit if they decide to promote him. In Detroit, he knows the room, and as noted above, they love him.
A name to watch, to me, if Johnson decides to go away from the current Lions staff is Tavita Pritchard. Pritchard is the current Quarterbacks Coach for the Washington Commanders. Anyone see how that Jayden Daniels guy has played this season? But its not just his work with the rookie. Before joining the Commanders in 2023 he spent over a decade at Stanford. During that time, he saw four quarterbacks get drafted into the NFL - Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan, Davis Mills and Tanner McKee. With a Caleb Williams entering his second season, it is important to give him all the help possible and I think a Pritchard/Johnson combo could be just what it is needed.
The Bears will have to beat out the Seahawks who recently brought Fraley in for a second interview, as well as his current team the Lions, who can offer the same position. All three spots have different strengths and weaknesses. In Seattle, he would have play-calling powers since current HC, Mike Macdonald calls the defense. But he has to be wary that Macdonald has already gone through one OC after after he fired first-time NFL OC Ryan Grubb after one season. Detroit and Chicago both offer different levels of familiarity. In Chicago, he would have an expanded job role and get to mold a brand new room that likely will have three new starters. Also, he probably would be given an assistant head coach title despite a lack of play calling. But it'll probably be hard to top Detroit if they decide to promote him. In Detroit, he knows the room, and as noted above, they love him.
A name to watch, to me, if Johnson decides to go away from the current Lions staff is Tavita Pritchard. Pritchard is the current Quarterbacks Coach for the Washington Commanders. Anyone see how that Jayden Daniels guy has played this season? But its not just his work with the rookie. Before joining the Commanders in 2023 he spent over a decade at Stanford. During that time, he saw four quarterbacks get drafted into the NFL - Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan, Davis Mills and Tanner McKee. With a Caleb Williams entering his second season, it is important to give him all the help possible and I think a Pritchard/Johnson combo could be just what it is needed.
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