The Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson as head coach promises to shake up the NFC North dynamics for 2025 and beyond. Johnson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, was the mastermind behind their high-powered offense, which led them to a dominant 15-2 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Lions, along with the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings, have set a high standard in the division, leaving the Green Bay Packers, despite an 11-6 record, fighting to keep up. The Packers even suffered a Week 18 loss to the Bears, who finished 5-12 but are considered a “sleeping giant.”
Johnson’s success with the Lions included sweeping the Packers in back-to-back seasons and developing quarterback Jared Goff into one of the league’s best. Under Johnson, Goff consistently threw for over 4,500 yards and 30+ touchdowns, finishing the 2024 season with elite stats like a 111.8 passer rating and a 72.4% completion rate. Now, Johnson is tasked with developing Caleb Williams, the Bears’ No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024. Despite an inconsistent rookie season, Williams showed flashes of brilliance, particularly against Green Bay, completing nearly 75% of his passes with no interceptions in those matchups.
In his introductory press conference, Johnson expressed confidence in the Bears’ roster, calling it “stocked and loaded,” and highlighted his enthusiasm for staying in the NFC North, which he regards as the NFL’s toughest division. He praised division rivals like Lions coach Dan Campbell and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell while relishing the chance to compete against the Packers’ Matt LaFleur. Johnson plans to tailor his offensive approach to Williams’ strengths, emphasizing his unique arm talent and playmaking ability.
The Lions face challenges of their own, with Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departing for head coaching roles. While the Lions’ culture and roster remain strong, their inability to convert a 15-win season into playoff success raises questions about their championship window. Coach Dan Campbell remains optimistic, stating, “Our window is open,” and pointing to the team’s solid identity and pivotal players.
With Johnson’s arrival in Chicago and the NFC North’s competitiveness at an all-time high, the division is poised for thrilling battles, making it one of the most exciting storylines to watch in the NFL.
