Chicago Bears fans still look back fondly on the moment the franchise brought in Ben Johnson as head coach last January. At the time, the hire was seen as a bold move with the potential to reshape the organization—and that optimism has more than paid off during Johnson’s first season in charge.

Under his leadership, Chicago has already ended a four-year playoff drought and is closing in on its first NFC North crown since 2018. That kind of rapid turnaround doesn’t happen in isolation, though, and the impact of Johnson’s coaching staff has clearly caught the attention of the rest of the league.

According to CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones, the Bears are preparing for the possibility that other teams may try to lure away members of their coaching staff once the season concludes. One of the teams expected to be most aggressive is Johnson’s former employer: the Detroit Lions.

Detroit could target Bears assistants tied to Ben Johnson
Detroit is widely expected to move on from offensive coordinator John Morton at the end of the year. Morton, who took over after Johnson left for Chicago, has struggled in the role, and Jones notes that the Lions are already exploring alternatives.

That search could lead them directly to Johnson’s current staff—creating a role reversal from last offseason.
Just a year ago, Johnson recruited Antwaan Randle El and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett from Detroit to join him in Chicago. Now, the Lions may attempt to return the favor as they look to stabilize their offense following Morton’s disappointing second stint with the team.

Once a coach loses play-calling responsibilities, it’s often a sign that a change is imminent.
Jones highlights several Bears assistants who could appeal to Lions head coach Dan Campbell if an opening becomes official.

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, pass game coordinator Press Taylor, running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, and Barrett are all viewed as strong candidates for promotions elsewhere. While Chicago may value them highly, the Bears might not be able to offer the same upward mobility Detroit could provide.

The appeal is obvious. Detroit still boasts one of the NFL’s most talented offensive cores, featuring quarterback Jared Goff, dynamic running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and elite wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. That group played a major role in elevating Johnson’s reputation and ultimately helped him land the Bears’ head coaching job.

If the Lions do come calling, Chicago could soon find itself on the losing end of the same coaching carousel that benefited them not long ago.