Forgive me for posting about this topic because many feel like it’s been beaten to death, but tonight kind of solidified my thoughts.
Ben Johnson isn’t going to Chicago because 1. the ownership/GM and 2. Caleb Williams isn’t the type of QB that would fit into a technical, timing based offense that he runs.
As talented as Caleb might be in terms of raw skill and arm strength, I don’t think Ben wants to try and mold a QB that has relied purely on that to very mixed results rather than someone with the pocket accuracy similar to Goff. Not saying he would only want to coach true pocket passer like JG (he’s the last of a dying breed), but a young QB who is athletic yet still wants to process things under center like Bo Nix seems to me like a much better fit.
The question is, which team with an HC opening has a QB who can (or has the potential to) operate a complex offense like the Lions run? I really can’t see a fit right now.
If the NFL has taught us anything it’s that everything is cyclical. I don’t think it has as much to do with pocket passers being a dying breed, as it is the college game has kind of taken a step back from developing them and has just relied on the flash of an athlete at the QB position. I do think things will swing back when a couple of NFL offenses flourish with a younger version. Everyone copies everyone in the NFL and its only a matter of time.
I agree that Ben might not be a fit there in Chicago. Harbaugh would have been perfect. Vrabel, I think, would be good and then there is Kyle Shanahan. That’s the one I kinda worry about. Oh they may have missed on Dan Quinn too.
I honestly think that he might be able to continue the upridge directory of Bryce Young. Now whether he jives with their ownership and GM? I don’t have any clue.
One thing I won’t do is put Ben in a box when it comes his offensive scheme.
One of the things he did with Detroit is sit down with the QB and learn what he excelled at, what he as a QB ran. Once figured out the scheme came to life, with key being a strong run game.
So point being I think Ben could work with several types of qb’s and develop an offense to fit their talents.
I think the question(s) comes down to
Ownership/history of franchise
Front office
Quarterback
OL strength.
and most of all
How bad does he want to be a head coach now vs later.
The Bears need more than just an offensive guru, the whole organization is broken; ownership, front office and coaching. What they really need is a Dan Campbell, or the next best thing, alongside a new GM and an owner that keeps out of it.
If Ben Johnson does go there, and I don’t think he will, he’ll be back in Detroit as the OC three years later.
Bingo! He needs an accurate QB to run the Campbell Offense.
After seeing how it’s done (culture building), he’s going to want unselfish, team first, players. Strike two.
Ben is clearly a good coach… But Sewell, Goff, Ragnow, St. Brown, Jamo and Gibbs aint going with him. All 6 likely making the pro bowl this year. Talent matters. Oh and LaPorta and Monty aint going with him either.
Whoever gets the Lions OC job will be in heaven with all this talent.
It has little to do with Caleb. He’s worth molding. It’s an owner group that adds a layer of management between it and the GM without input from the GM. Their dysfunction comes from above. Ben will take on a project, but not if that includes persuading the team that the solution begins at the top.
Ben Johnson would fit great with the talent of the Bengals, but they still have one of the worst, cheapest owners. And because of that they won’t be firing Zac Taylor.
