For the Bears, Ben Johnson is a high-ceiling bet worth making | Spiegel & Holmes

[@angelapattatucciaragon]

I have been a lifelong Bears fan. One thing that I've noticed over the years, particularly when it comes to the McCaskeys, is that they seem to want coaches that will stick around for a while. This typically translates to coaches that won't upset the applecart too much and will get along with others. They definitely seem to have had their fill with Mike Ditka and his personality type. They want things to run smooth. Ironically, by using this as their main criteria for hiring, they wind up with the exact opposite of what they want. Coaches tend not to stick around or work well together. Because conflict has to be buried in order to have a "smooth" operation, disagreements are not appropriately aired out and instead fester. Eventually they become huge problems. In environments like you see in the NFL, players often are advised to leave their egos at the door. That's fair. It's about the team. However, the coach is in a different situation. He needs to humble himself and listen to players, without allowing the team or specific individuals to run the show. At the same time, he needs to have a strong ego when it comes to dealing with the front office. He needs to be able to advocate for the team and his staff. In my opinion, we have had 3 great coaches during my lifetime (I'm 73): George Hallas, Mike Ditka, and Lovie Smith. Maybe Ryan Poles should start by asking himself what qualities did these three men share that made them great and use that as a yardstick for measuring the candidates that he will be interviewing.

[@a.barker7792]

Only choice is Gruden then. Checks everything you mentioned. And WANTS back in to prove something.

[@ericf1966]

I'm so tired of this revisionist view about Poles not doing a good job as Bears GM. At the beginning of the season everyone in the media was praising the job Poles had done, and the roster he'd put together. Fans and media had expectations that the Bears would challenge for, if not make, the playoffs based on what Poles had done. Explain to me what changes Poles made during the season to change that view? Poles doesn't coach the players, create the scheme, make game management decisions, or control player injuries. I've heard fans and some media blame Poles for hiring Eberflus, retaining Eberflus, hiring Waldron, etc. I don't, because I'm confident that the McCaskey's are behind those decisions. I'm confident the McCaskey's are behind all financial decisions outside of the salary cap. As a matter of fact, if not for the salary caps rules about minimum and maximum player spending, the Bears would be a Pop Warner team. The Bears have ~80 million in cap space (5th highest) with less than 2.5 million in dead cap for 2025, with 43 players under contract. In summary, the Bears are in excellent salary cap position. In three drafts, Poles has made trades to increase the number of Bears draft picks. He's selected Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones, Elijah Hicks, Darnell Wright, Gervon Dextor, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Tory Taylor, and Austin Booker that are all starters or significant contributors. He missed on Velus Jones (bust) in the 3rd round, and maybe on Zach Pickens (underachieved so far) in the 3rd round. Kiran Amegadjie was always a project pick with high upside based on traits. He was injured and couldn't practice until after the season started. He was never meant to play this season, and was only forced into action because of injuries. He missed on the Chase Claypool trade (due to personality/attitude), not physical attributes or talent. He hit big on the 2023 #1 pick/DJ Moore/Darnell Wright/Tyrique Stevenson/Caleb Williams/Tory Taylor, and Montez Sweat trades. He missed on Nate Davis in Free Agency (again due to personality/attitude), but added starters in DeMarcus Walker, Andrew Billings, TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Kevin Byard, Coleman Shelton, and D'Andre Swift. He found contributors as UDFA's in Jack Sanborn, Tyson Bagent, Josh Blackwell, and Jaylon Jones. I'm willing to bet the McCaskey's will force another cheap, subpar coach on Poles, and Poles will leave the Bears when his contract is up. If you think the Bears are dysfunctional now, wait until the McCaskey's replace Poles with another Ryan Pace.

[@angeltorres4089]

Add in the change from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense and the complete overhaul that was necessary from the Pace rosters, I think as a young GM he has done some great work with some misses. But all GMs miss. I am interested in how he addresses he lines this offseason before joining the chorus of meatballs that want him fired.

[@craigamore2319]

I agree with pretty much everything you said, except the McCaskey thing. Every indication has been that it was Poles who chose to retain Eberflus and that Poles had influence in the Waldron hire, so those decisions are on him, partially, at the very least. As regards his roster decisions, I think he's done very well. Coaching has, I think, been the biggest issue here.

[@slowemm]

The Bears did in fact hire a head coach who was the primary play caller for his previous team. Marc Trestman was an offensive coordinator for The Browns, 49ers, Cardinals and Raiders.

[@yournamehere552]

Marc Trestman was a head coach and called plays as an offensive guy.

[@blackstealth2]

Given the fact they fired the head coach midseason for the first time ever is a really good sign that they are at least doing things a bit different. Hopefully they don't messed this thing up.

[@christopherpietsch147]

8:33 Culture and Leadership: Caring, Honesty, Self-Assurance, Passion, and Attention to Detail; total of 9 minutes

[@boilerbuzz]

Being a winning coach for the Chicago Bears is a LIFETIME TICKET!

[@chrissandell3283]

When you only win one time in the history of the NFL...I guess sure that could be. Congrats on being such a losing franchise that a second winning season is statue worthy! Pathetic franchise!

[@christr1ut87]

The Bears might get this wrong, but everyone might get the HC hire wrong. Someone with HC experience might be the wrong guy just like someone who is an OC or DC promoted to HC might be the wrong guy. It’s a bit of a crap shoot. At the same time they might get it right. Bears fans are so negative it’s exhausting listening to them complain.

[@Robsay01]

Being a charter member of the NFL, one would think the Bears would aim for the ceiling, but they are always having trouble with the floor and its repair.

[@Imjustsandro]

For sure! I've been saying this for years. You would think that being a founding member of the league that they would be leading the way in innovation, policy and numerous other things. I don't think they understand that if you don't win no one cares about their history other than them. They just can't seem to get out of their own way.

[@chrisyongchu]

The Bears had their shot when Jim Harbaugh was interested in becoming their head coach.

[@mikeross4937]

Jim

[@chrisyongchu]

@ mb, thanks 🙏

[@moore2score]

There was a report this morning from Adam Hoge that Kevin Warren being in the organization was a non-starter for Harbaugh given what happened in the Big 10 during their shared tenure.

[@Pullo83]

Didn’t give Sean Payton a shred of consideration either.

[@chrisyongchu]

@@Pullo83 💯

[@scruffylives9224]

Hi ceiling? According to who? Certainly not to those who interviewed him last year and found him lacking. Then instead of accepting follow up interviews he ran back to the comfort of the most talent rich offense in the nfl where just about any offensive coordinator would find success. These reporters really need to be talking to the folks who saw first hand how much of a lightweight flake Ben Johnson is. Maybe this year he’s better prepared and learned from his experience last year. Maybe not. Only way to find out is very detailed interviews. Not easy rubber stamps because a talented Detroit team has a good offense.

[@RANDYSAVAGE1412]

Who interviewed him last year? He had an interview scheduled with the redskins and Ben cancelled because he decided to stay with the Lions. Thats literally it to my knowledge unless you have a link to all these other teams that passed on him that you claim.

[@Robsay01]

Go Ben, the Tar Heel great!

[@4149stonepony]

The bears top 3 are Pete Carroll, Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson. Somehow they will miss out on all 3 because that is the bears. So I look forward to the unknown coaching candidate that they like. George is an absolute goof and he is the reason they will mess this up.

[@drhenceforth]

This is the first time I've thought, "maybe Ben Johnson won't be Nagy/Daboll 2.0?" Maybe Robert is right? I hadn't thought about it before but not every good coach eats glass and shits fire. Not like it matters, our Bears will end up with Mike Kafka after a traumatic brain injury and he'll hire his favorite nun to develop Caleb, and McCaskey and the gang will talk about how well she fits into the culture. Bear Down.

[@JohhnyBraid]

The follow up question that should have been asked after McCaskey blamed himself. “What are YOU going to different during this hiring process?”

[@flattailbob]

So you want to go down the promote a coordinator to HC road again? Like Nagy, and Flus, etc? What proof do you have that Ben Johnson can do the job of a HC?

[@sammathew921]

He can call a offense , no one they have ever hired before has playcalling like he had the past 3 years

[@ialsolikethecfl7151]

@@sammathew921 He can call an offense. But--locker room needs discipline...

[@flattailbob]

@@sammathew921 obviously you didn’t read the second sentence in the comment. I never questioned his abilities as an OC, but I was trying to to point out that he lacks Head Coaching experience as has most of George McCaskeys HC hirings. Actually, I think the only one with previous experience was John Fox and he was washed up and looking for a golden parachute. Now what part of that don’t you understand?

[@kelsowilz2522]

He's not a high ceiling bet. He's winning games with a loaded offense under a really good coach. That's it. He hasn't even been to the Superbowl. If the Lions win the Superbowl that's the only way we should consider Ben Johnson for HC.

[@joeyjoeybacks]

Watch the surprise is Matt Naggy again

[@Shadow-of-Sundered-Star-83]

If Trump can come back The Nagster can to. Make America Nag Again.

[@rokerroar]

He’s finally found the whys!!

[@gjones1316]

I believe if they get Johnson or Brady at least it can’t get worse than this season.

[@ericf1966]

The Bears consistent issue is ownership! The McCaskey's insist on cheap coaches that don't swear. Did you see Hard Knocks?

[@woodstocknation1961]

We need a proven NFL GM. I don't sugarcoat anything. We will be drafting top 10 as long as Ryan Poles is the GM

[@RodneyHennings]

☝🏾1 thing!!.................. Ownership incompetence!!🧐🤔🙄🤪

[@paulfredericks5668]

REX RYAN...

[@weirdbeardzz]

man this whole segment was great until Spiegel started yapping

[@spaceghost8995]

Spiegel is by far the best guy on The Score.

[@superkat460]

Ben Johnson is a rookie experiment. Sorry! Legacy franchise deserves proven HC with NFL experience. Interim rookie Brown has been there and done that! Too risky for all 3 sides to unite under a oc coordinator.

[@keithsimpson2446]

There's no way in hell id pick brown to be the next coach. He clearly had no idea what he was doing.

[@jzpat]

They haven’t done anything in decades. Bears need to stop holding on this legacy bs lol.

[@paulhester489]

Same cast of characters claiming Caleb was the One now saying Ben Johnson is the One. Like that used car salesman that sold you that lemon.

[@jaycarrasquillo9122]

Trestmen didnt call plays? Really asking?

[@sammathew921]

Bro was the head coach of an CFL team 😂 he wasn't calling plays for the NFL

[@ialsolikethecfl7151]

Schemes don't win games. Teams do. And teams are built out of locker room culture. I'll take Pete Carroll or Mike McMarthy, thank you. They've proven they can do this. Anyone who "doesn't interview well," like Johnson, is unlikely to command the room.

[@mohammadomar7375]

Trestman, nagy were the playcallers for the teams lol

[@raz1739]

No they weren’t .

[@mohammadomar7375]

@raz1739 nag took over playingcalling from Andy reid the year before magy went to the bears

[@TheCaptain773]

Seems like you’re having trouble with comprehension. Neither of Nagy or Trestman were the architects or primary playcallers as the OC before becoming a HC. Ben is the sole architect and play caller for the Lions.

[@mohammadomar7375]

@TheCaptain773 he doesn't say architect he's says the primary playcaller. Navy playcalled for the chiefs and reid did 0 playcalling once he yielded.

[@mohammadomar7375]

@TheCaptain773 someone def didn't comprehend

[@RodneyHennings]

...........And!! being a cheap owner!!🤨

[@jasontoy1261]

I'll take Ben Johnson 🙏

[@JK.Palomba]

A legacy franchise? Why? Because you won a superbowl 40 years ago? Be real.

[@spaceghost8995]

They were the first team. They did win nine championships.

[@MikeJWichita]

Know your football History.

[@esp4372]

But he’s right. A dying franchise is more accurate. They can’t even figure out what to do with the stadium , let alone the team. Prioritize the bottom line and this is what happens.

[@spaceghost8995]

@esp4372 Dying? Haha no their value increases by the day. They are building in Arlington Heights . We all know that. They're just waiting for the spring session of the State Legislature to reconvene. They will get rejected again by the governor and the state for funding and then they build in AH .

[@tempe1d]

​@spaceghost8995 the 1 SB the bears won was over the Pats in 1984-85. Since then:Pats SIX(6) SB wins. Bears? 😴 THAT'S legacy 😂

[@chrissandell3283]

So if Ben Johnsons offense has the best offensive line in foorball....and according to Bear fans, they have the worst offensive line in the league (which is false)....why in the world would Ben Johnson be successful at all in Chicago? Its VERY LIKELY.....he will be one of the worse coaches in Bears history. Pretty simple to understand.....

[@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0000]

It’s more about understanding what an NFL offense is. If the OC/coach consistently has no clue what to do on one side of the ball, then how does an amazing OL help all that much when the average play is still a poorly planned screen or a 2 yard run on 3 & 8.

[@tpont25]

Johnson’s scheme and playcalling GREATLY help Detroit’s o-line. Lots of videos that breakdown how intelligent their run game is - encourage you to watch.

[@esp4372]

Sorry to break everyone’s heart , but the bears are the exact opposite of what Detroit has. Grit , culture , gm, coaching staff a great gameday experience and winning. Chi has zero toughness , no culture , moronic gm , owner , no coach , a dump for a stadium that you pay top dollar to watch the team lose over and over. .. THERE IS ZERO CHANCE BEN WANTS THIS JOB. Z E R O

[@theghostsofmyaddiction4471]

Then why is he interviewing for the job after saying he would only take interviews at places he feels he would be interested in coaching

[@stevenbarnes8238]

These packer fans... 🙄

[@sammathew921]

Ben had a choice of who he interviews with , he denied the jets and saints , him interviewing with the bears LITERALLY means he is interested