On January 21, 2025, the Chicago Bears officially announced Ben Johnson as their new head coach, making him the 19th head coach in the team's 105-year history.

Johnson demonstrated his eagerness for the role during a virtual interview on January 11, impressing chairman George McCaskey with his repeated expressions of desire to be hired.

Prior to accepting the Bears' position, Johnson interviewed with several teams, including the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars, just days after the Lions' playoff elimination.

His success as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, particularly in leading a top-five scoring offense and working with quarterback Jared Goff, made him a highly sought-after candidate.

Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren emphasized the need to secure a top choice for head coach, indicating that a significant move was necessary to hire one of the league's best.

Warren also highlighted the importance of balancing financial considerations while ensuring the hiring of a world-class head coach and quality assistants.

Interestingly, while dining at Old Pueblo Cantina, Warren received a note from a fan advocating for the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach.

McCaskey acknowledged Johnson's readiness to compete in the challenging NFC North division against established coaches like Dan Campbell and Matt LaFleur.

In preparation for this hire, Warren conducted 17 interviews over two weeks as part of the search for the franchise's next head coach.

Johnson's leadership contributed to the Lions achieving the NFC's No. 1 seed, underscoring his capability to elevate the Bears' performance.