Bears finalize deal to hire Ben Johnson as head coach

The Bears have found their next head coach.

According to multiple reports, they are finalizing a deal with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to take over the team. Johnson interviewed with the team remotely during Detroit’s playoff bye week and became eligible to move on to a new job following the Lions’ loss to the Commanders on Saturday night.

Johnson has been a hot candidate for head coach over the past two years, but he passed up opportunities to leave the Lions. It appears the opportunity to work with quarterback Caleb Williams while staying within the familiar confines of the NFC North was enough of an enticement to get him to move on.

Reports last week indicated that the Raiders were also seeking Johnson for their vacant head coaching position, but Vegas will now have to go in a different direction as they search for Antonio Pierce’s successor.