New Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy must fill several important assistant coach positions. Word is they’re working on trying to bring in Joe Brady as quarterbacks coach. While that would be a strong opening move, most would agree that the most vital hire Getsy will make is on the offensive line. This area has underachieved for this team for most of the past decade. While SM reported they were interested in making a run at longtime specialist Bill Callahan, it remains uncertain if he is willing to leave Cleveland. Not to worry, though. Getsy has connections of his own, starting with Marcus Johnson.
A former 2nd round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2005, he played in the NFL for five seasons. By 2011, he chose to retire and pursue coaching. His first big opportunity came under legendary Duke head coach David Cutcliffe. The same man who developed Peyton and Eli Manning. It didn’t take long for Johnson to showcase his ability to coach offensive linemen. This eventual success led him to Mississippi State in 2018 as their new line coach.
The same year Getsy became their offensive coordinator.
Nobody can dispute Johnson’s impact. Their only year together, the Bulldogs ranked second in the SEC in rushing yards per game (223.6) and yards per rush (5.7). After Getsy left in 2019, Johnson spent one more year there before becoming the offensive line coach at Missouri. With his help, the Tigers saw their first offensive lineman drafted to the NFL in last year’s draft for the first time since 2016. His name was Larry Borom.
The young tackle showed flashes of potential at both right and left tackle as a rookie. Far more than anybody expected. He isn’t the only prominent player Johnson had a hand in molding, either. He did the same for San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson at Duke and Green Bay Packers All-Pro Elgton Jenkins at Mississippi State.
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Marcus Johnson has a strong track record
This is most often the sign that a coach is good at what he does. He had success at all three of his stops as an offensive line coach. One characteristic that stands out the most with Johnson’s fronts is their physicality. They were never afraid to impose their will on opponents. This showed up most often in the running game. Here are the average yards per game rushing every team he’s served on to date.
- 2016 Duke – 153.6 yards
- 2017 Duke – 171.4 yards
- 2018 Miss. State – 223.6 yards
- 2019 Miss. State – 220.7 yards
- 2020 Missouri – 135.2 yards
- 2021 Missouri – 181.1 yards
There is an undeniable consistency there.
Both GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have said they want a tough, physical football team on offense and defense. Marcus Johnson seems to instill that mentality with every offensive line he’s worked with. The connections to Getsy and Borom make his candidacy for the job difficult to ignore. It comes down to whether he’d be interested in leaving the college ranks for the NFL. Something he has yet to do in his coaching career. Eberflus may prefer somebody with more pro experience as well.
