ESPN.com · Jan 20, 2025
Sources: Bears finalizing deal to hire Lions' Ben Johnson as coach
Copy Link
CHICAGO -- The Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Johnson, who has been the Lions' offensive coordinator the past three seasons, will fill the job vacated by Matt Eberflus when he was fired on Nov. 29. Johnson will be the 19th head coach in the franchise's 105-year existence.
Johnson, 38, was available to be hired after the Lions -- the NFC's No. 1 seed in the playoffs -- were stunned on Saturday night by the Washington Commanders.
Lions' offense roared under Johnson
The Lions thrived in any number of offensive metrics during Ben Johnson's tenure as OC.