NFL Rumors: Lions’ Ben Johnson reportedly has a job with Eyed Bears HC after the 2023 season | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson surprised many when he opted not to take a head coaching position last season, but he reportedly had his eye on a team that didn’t have an opening.

Sports illustrated‘s Albert Breer said during a radio appearance that Johnson was interested in the Chicago Bears’ head coaching position, but the team decided to retain Matt Eberflus.

“He was definitely linked to the Chicago job last year. … There were people who thought this was the job he wanted, and obviously it didn’t open up.”

Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free PressJohnson interviewed with the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons last offseason.

He reportedly turned down an interview request with the Tennessee Titans, and in 2023 turned down an in-person interview with the Carolina Panthers when he was considered the favorite to land the job.

Johnson told Birkett that while he felt he was ready for a head coaching position, he still wanted to wait until the right situation presented itself.

“Something that really appeals to me is: OK, eight vacancies in the last year. What would you call the over-under in three years, how many still have a job?” Johnson said. “I would say there’s a good chance that five of them will be out of a job within three years. And when I look at it from that perspective, if I have the opportunity to go down that path, it’s about how do I go down that path .that second contract, how do I make sure that if the stars have to align, I don’t just do it for the sake of doing it. My family loves where we are now. I love the people we are with do it, and so I’m not ready to go the other way unless I feel really good about how it will unfold.”

If the Bears move on from Eberflus and pursue Johnson, he would get the opportunity to coach one of the most promising young players in the NFL in 2024, No. 1 Caleb Williams. The rookie quarterback has already shown flashes of brilliance, and pairing him with an offensive guru like Johnson would be an attractive idea for Chicago.

Still, there will likely be stiff competition for Johnson’s services as he will once again be one of the hottest candidates for the head coaching position this season.