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In a 2025 offseason full of NFL coaching changes, there was arguably none bigger than Ben Johnson becoming the Chicago Bears’ head coach.
Johnson joined Chicago from the Detroit Lions, who in 2024 set a franchise record with 15 wins. He was the play-caller for the league’s best scoring offense in 2024, averaging over 33 points a game.
Widely known as one of the best offensive minds in the game, the 39-year-old left Detroit for the Bears, signing a five-year contract for his first head coaching role.
A Detroit sports writer asks Ben Johnson if he considered the feelings of Lions fans by accepting the #Bears head coaching job…. pic.twitter.com/VjNKCdG5J1
— Barroom Net | Aldo Gandia (@BarroomNetwork) September 10, 2025
Here’s what to know about Johnson’s coaching career.
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Why did Ben Johnson leave Lions?
Johnson was one of the top head coaching candidates during the 2024 offseason, fresh off leading the best offense in the NFL. With Johnson at the helm, the Lions averaged 409.5 yards per game, scoring over 30 points in 10 out of 17 contests.
Is Ben Johnson cooking up something special for his first game against the Lions? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eGavdQREFL
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 11, 2025
He accepted the Bears head coaching job in January 2025, and in his introductory press conference, he cited three key reasons for his decision, which included being in the Chicago area, a roster that he is excited to build and wanting to stay in the NFC East, which he called “the toughest division in football.”
Ben Johnson on staying in the NFC North:
“I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.” pic.twitter.com/NxQO6sTzZw
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) January 22, 2025
Specifically, one of the reasons Johnson was connected to Chicago is quarterback Caleb Williams — the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — and being able to develop him into a star. Williams has high expectations entering year two after throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in his rookie season.
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Ben Johnson career timeline
Boston College, 2009-2011
Johnson started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Boston College, before being elevated to tight ends coach in 2011.
Miami Dolphins, 2012-2018
His first role in the NFL was with the Miami Dolphins in 2012, where he was an offensive assistant; in 2013, he was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach, helping in the development of Ryan Tannehill. In 2015, Johnson was again promoted to tight ends coach, this time by former colleague and Lions coach Dan Campbell, who was serving as Miami’s interim at the time.
Johnson was named the team’s assistant wide receiver coach in 2017, before taking over the main role in the 2018 season.
NFC NORTH CHAMPS.
The @Lions first division title since 1993!@budlight | #CellyClinched pic.twitter.com/a4Q04WzbP9
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023
Johnson left the Dolphins in 2018, joining the Lions as an offensive quality control coach.
Detroit Lions, 2019-2024
Johnson spent his first year in Detroit as an offensive quality control coach, before being promoted to tight ends coach in 2020.
After the Lions hired Dan Campbell in 2021, Campbell opted to keep Johnson on the coaching staff. Johnson was promoted to passing game coordinator that same season after Detroit got off to an 0-8 start.
In February 2022, Johnson became Detroit’s offensive coordinator. He led Detroit’s offense for three years, leading a top-five scoring offense each season. Johnson called plays with Jared Goff as the signal-caller, and the Lions had a combined record of 36-15 in those three seasons; it included playoff births in both 2023, where Detroit made it all the way to the NFC Championship game, and 2024, where the Lions lost in the Divisional Round to the Washington Commanders.
He left for Chicago in January 2025 becoming the franchise’s 19th head coach in its history.
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Ben Johnson contract details
Johnson’s contract puts him above his former colleague and Lions coach Dan Campbell, along with coaches like Nick Sirianni and Matt LaFleur. According to Front Office Sports, Johnson is tied with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell for the seventh-highest paid coach in the NFL.
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How old is Ben Johnson?
Ben Johnson is 39 years old. He is currently the third-youngest head coach in the NFL, behind the Saints’ Kellen Moore and Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald.
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