Things started looking promising for the Bears after the Lions loss to a red-hot Washington Commanders team on Saturday. With Detroit’s heart-breaking loss, the NFL coaching carousel can now pick up speed. Both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn will be available for in-person interviews starting Monday, January 20.
Ben Johnson, come on down to Chicago.
It's time.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) January 19, 2025
However, the “Ben Johnson Sweepstakes” seems to be gaining momentum, but not in a direction favorable to Chicago. Reports indicate that the Raiders are interviewing Lance Newmark, a former Lions executive and current Commanders assistant GM, for their general manager position. Newmark, who spent 26 seasons in Detroit before joining Washington last year, has a strong relationship with both Johnson and Glenn.
Raiders are interviewing former Lions executive and current Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark today for their general manager job, per sources.
Newmark spent 26 seasons in Detroit before joining Washington last year, and is said to have a strong relationship with both Ben… pic.twitter.com/yfwGg7L9w6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2025
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This development gives Las Vegas an advantage over the Bears and Jaguars in the race for Johnson. According to league sources, this move has been anticipated for the past week. Johnson has expressed a desire for alignment with the front office, and it appears the Raiders are doing everything they can to explore that possibility.
Chicago isn’t slowing down either.
The Bears are moving quickly, with Jay Glazer reporting that they are scheduled to interview Eddie George for their head coaching position on Sunday morning. George, who has been the head coach at Tennessee State for the past four years, was named Coach of the Year in his conference this year and led his team to a co-championship.
It’s not yet confirmed if the interview will be in person, but if it is, the Bears would then fulfill the Rooney Rule requirements. This would allow them to start making offers or officially hire a new head coach. It looks like a busy and potentially eventful week ahead for Chicago.
Those were some great comments from both @Arnie and @Tred.
Hopefully, all our reservations and fears can.be asuaged by the requirement that Ben Johnson is reported to have made.
New Bears HC, Ben Johnson asked for a guarantee that he would receive no interference from the non-football men at Halas Hall — namely: George McCaskey and Kevin Warren.
Organizational alignment — finally!
Sounds like an elegant, simple solution to a problem that has plagued the Bears for decades.
Time will tell.
@Dr. Melhus — Two “quick” things regarding our dispute that centers on D’Andre Swift: ▪︎. A recent article (1-15-25) by Eric Root of ChiCitySports entitled: Stats show Chicago Bears free agent acquisition was a bust in 2024 ▪︎. A 2024 response I posted for you (so, those PFF stats are actually from the 2023 NFL season). Please take the time to read both — so you may have a better understanding of why timely, accurate criticism is not a form of either: hated nor obsession. >>>> from the 2024 post >>>>>>>>>> Let me tell you (some of the reasons) why… Read more »
It’s time to end the dog and pony show and make their choice for their new head coach. Enough already with the parade of interviews. If it’s going to be Ben Johnson then let’s make sure you don’t lose him to the Vegas Raiders. If it’s someone else I hope he’s capable of doing what Kliff Kingsbury is doing with Washington’s rookie quarterback.
@Tred Ya know, the last part of your comment made me think of one other thing regarding Poles, or player acquisition in general, maybe. The thing I think about with names like the ones you mentioned is that while all three were busts, they weren’t equal in terms of negative impact. For example, Nate Davis was awful, possibly even damaging to moral on the line, on offense, whatever, but he didn’t really cost them anything that detracted from the roster build (except a spot that maybe J’Tyre Carter could have held onto). $10 million/3 years is big money, sure, but… Read more »
@Arnie. It’s really pathetic. We actually both agree where the root of the problem is. And we both agree not a damn thing can be done about it… The joy of being a fan of a team that has no regional rival, and no urgent necessity to be competitive. Your take on Poles being on a short leash is interesting, and at this point, it’s the best hope that’s left. Hopefully, he is VERY careful about catering too much to a new HC if the coach opposes the conclusions of the scouts (assuming the scouts have had a better track… Read more »