Was Bears’ Ben Johnson a Grade-A hire? And who wins Sunday’s NFL championship games?

The Bears hired Ben Johnson. Hallelujah. God bless America. Let’s party.

Johnson better not be a coaching bust, you know.

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we asked voters to give a letter grade to the Bears for their hiring of the former Lions offensive coordinator. And if the parade of “As” is any indication, Bears fans are regarding Johnson as a home run. Maybe even a grand slam. But why are we using baseball metaphors?

“I can’t believe I am admitting the Bears finally got it right,” @John41793198854 commented. “Johnson is the pick of the coaching litter!”

Next, we asked for your winners of Sunday’s Commanders-Eagles and Bills-Chiefs conference championship games.

“The Bills have to win a playoff game against the Chiefs at least one time,” @ronw_sportsnut wrote, “and now is the time.”

Last, we asked: Who’s the real quarterback GOAT? Tom Brady? Patrick Mahomes? Someone else?

“Brady,” @JBIRD1268 offered, “until Mahomes has all his fingers fitted with rings.”

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Give the Bears a way-too-early grade for hiring Ben Johnson as coach.

Upshot: Never have so many been so sold on a guy who, before taking this position, had as much NFL head coaching experience as your cousin Earl. Just a friendly reminder, for what it’s worth, that OC and HC are completely different jobs. So … we’ll see.

Poll No. 2: Who will win Sunday’s NFC (Commanders at Eagles) and AFC (Bills at Chiefs) championship games?

Upshot: Does this vote reflect a lack of confidence in the Chiefs or simply Chiefs fatigue? One suspects the latter has a lot to do with these results.

Poll No. 3: Who’s the real QB GOAT?

Upshot: Baa, baa, Brady. You can’t bleat ol’ No. 12.