INDIANAPOLIS — In Bears coach Ben Johnson’s first month on the job, it already has become clear this is going to be much different than it was with predecessor Matt Eberflus.
Johnson should be an upgrade, not only in scheme, but in helping general manager Ryan Poles on the personnel side in a way that Eberflus couldn’t. Finding common ground in that area was crucial in their interview process, both in Poles looking for someone who could help and Johnson looking to have substantive influence, and Poles said Tuesday that has played out just like he hoped.
As he has brought Johnson into the evaluation of the roster and preparation for free agency and the draft, he has been impressed by his input and the specificity in his criteria as the Bears try to climb out of the bottom of the NFC North.
“His ability to really give a clear vision of what he wants and needs to be successful has been really, really good,” Poles said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “The high football IQ is on a totally different level than what I’ve seen and been a part of before.”
Calling it “different” often is a diplomatic way of saying “better,” just as Johnson said Tuesday he has a “different” amount of say in choosing players with the Bears than he had the last three years as Lions offensive coordinator.
Another authoritative voice in building the roster should be tremendously helpful to Poles, who filled the ledger with hits and misses over his first three years in charge. The net result of his coaching hires and player acquisitions to this point has been a 15-36 record and three last-place finishes in the division.
An organization with that track record should be open to a new voice.
Johnson has been optimistic that the Bears can compete for a playoff spot in his first season, but the unsaid part is that it depends on significant roster changes this offseason. The Bears have at least $77.8 million in salary-cap space for free agency, which starts March 10, and the Nos. 10, 39 and 41 picks in the draft in April. Poles seems more than willing to listen to Johnson’s direction in those decisions.
There’s also the issue of quarterback Caleb Williams’ development, which was uneven at best during his rookie season under Eberflus, Shane Waldron, Thomas Brown and others. Hiring Johnson gave the Bears a chance to establish the coach-quarterback that has mostly eluded them in their modern history.
While Johnson wasn’t in the building when they drafted Williams last year, he said at his introductory news conference that he was one of the main draws in pursuing the job after turning down so many others.
Johnson is fresh off running the most productive, consistent offense in the NFL and brought the best out of quarterback Jared Goff. He’s far more qualified than anyone who coached Williams last season, and Poles left no doubt that he’ll be the one running point on Williams from here forward.
When asked what his role is in getting Johnson and Williams on the same page, Poles said he has briefed Johnson on everything that happened last season, but ultimately, “That’s going to be Ben’s expertise, so let him do his thing.”
That’s how it should be, but the Bears’ coaching staff was too short on expertise to be trusted the last three years, especially on offense. Luke Getsy couldn’t utilize Justin Fields, who went on to play better with the Steelers, and Waldron was ill-equipped to coach Williams. All the while, Eberflus was unable to intervene.
The approach with Johnson as coach seems much more sensible and functional. And there’s a strong chance it’ll be more successful.
