Ben Johnson has been taking a methodical approach to building his coaching staff. Nothing about the process over the past week has felt rushed. Usually, head coaches want their staff put together as quickly as possible, but not Johnson. He wants to make sure he finds the right people. After careful consideration, it appears the Chicago Bears have found their next defensive line coach. His name is Bill Johnson (no relation). The 69-year-old has coached defensive linemen since way back in 1985 and has a solid track record across four decades.
He developed future three-time Pro Bowler Sam Adams at Texas A&M, along with eventual Super Bowl champion Brandon Mitchell. He helped draft and develop Jonathan Babineaux in Atlanta before taking over the New Orleans Saints front in 2009, helping them win their first-ever championship. Future stars like Cameron Jordan, Junior Galette, Akiem Hicks, and Sheldon Rankins were all brought into the NFL by him. Johnson then moved to Los Angeles, where he helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in 2018. Aaron Donald had the best season of his career that season, notching 20.5 sacks.
Chicago Bears have good reasons to want Johnson.
For one, success seems to follow him. After leaving L.A. in 2019, he joined LSU where the program won a national championship. He even helped K’Lavon Chaisson become an eventual 1st round pick. Then, in a surprise twist, Johnson joined the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. There, helped them win the inaugural league championship. The man has been doing it for a long time and continually produces good players wherever he goes. It isn’t a surprise the Bears like him.
This connection comes courtesy of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The two worked together for years in New Orleans, so it only makes sense that he would want somebody he knows and trusts. The Chicago Bears are likely to infuse their defensive line with more help this off-season. Having somebody seasoned like Johnson in charge makes plenty of sense. The fact they’re adding a man who seems to win everywhere he goes can’t possibly be a bad thing, either.
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