Bears interview top head-coaching candidate Lions OC Ben Johnson
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been the most coveted head-coaching candidate in the NFL the last three Januarys, and the Bears interviewed him Saturday morning via videoconference.
Johnson, 38, has been the Lions' offensive coordinator since 2022. They led the NFL in scoring this season at 33.2 points per game after finishing eighth last season and ninth in Johnson's first season.
Johnson has raved about Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and Williams said this week he's a fan of Johnson as well.
“It’s been really cool to watch," Williams said when asked about the possibility of the Bears hiring Johnson. "During our game I would watch and try to learn something. It was fascinating to watch because he had wrinkles and counters and things like that throughout the game. He’s obviously done really well. It will be cool to see how all of that goes down.”
Johnson has interviewed with or is expected to interview with the Patriots, Raiders and Jaguars in addition to the Bears. He also likely would be the top candidate for the Cowboys if they move on from Mike McCarthy.
He has been famously selective in considering opportunities and told the Detroit Free-Press in May, "The stars need to align. I'm not going to do it just to do it. I love what I'm doing right now. Love it. Love it. I love where I'm at... so I'm not willing to go down the other path yet unless I feel really good about how it's going to unfold."
Johnson is the sixth candidate the Bears have interviewed since beginning meetings Wednesday, and they're scheduled to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn on Saturday as well. They started with Mike Vrabel, then interviewed Drew Petzing, Anthony Weaver, Pete Carroll, Mike Kafka and Johnson.