We’ve Learned Bears’ Backup Plan If Ben Johnson Went Elsewhere

Ben Johnson was always the endgame for the Chicago Bears. Or at least it was for GM Ryan Poles. He knew early on that the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator was the one he wanted to take over the development of Caleb Williams. However, he knew he couldn’t strong-arm the process by cutting everybody else out. He had to let things go at the correct pace. Maybe someone else would emerge. Ultimately, it worked out. He and Johnson hit it off right away, and the 38-year-old took the job mere days after his season ended in the playoffs.

That said, there is no way the Bears went into that pursuit with full expectations of landing Johnson. He could always say no, or another team would swoop in to lure him away. In such a case, the team had to have alternative options on standby. Most would think former head coach Mike McCarthy was the likely target, or Pete Carroll. They would’ve been wrong. A source reached out to SM with an interesting revelation. If the Bears hadn’t been able to land Johnson, they were prepared to make a run at Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.

Landing Ben Johnson was best for everybody.

There is no question Freeman is a terrific coach. He took over a prestigious program from Brian Kelly, who’d had great success and somehow surpassed him. The Irish came close to winning the national championship last season before falling to a superior Ohio State team. He is young, energetic, and by all accounts a disciplined coach who holds players to a high standard. The fact that he was a former Bears draft pick likely added to the appeal. It is believed that team president Kevin Warren was the biggest proponent of that idea.

Still, it would’ve been a gamble. Freeman had no NFL coaching experience. Plucking guys straight from college is hit-and-miss at best. Bringing that college style to a veteran locker room might not have gotten the results everybody wanted. Ben Johnson has coached in the NFL for most of his career and understands the challenges of turning around a perennial loser. Add his offensive aptitude on top of all that, and it feels like the Bears got the right guy.