As of now, the Chicago Bears are scheduled to meet with 15 potential head coaching candidates. GM Ryan Poles said the search would be extensive and could include names others find surprising. However, almost every notable insider has said Ben Johnson is still the name to watch. He’s only accepted two interviews to this point: one with the New England Patriots and the other with the Bears. That is a surefire sign he is interested in both jobs. Many believe Mike Vrabel is all but destined to claim the Patriots job. If true, that would put Chicago in the driver’s seat to land Johnson.
There is one lingering issue. Reports have indicated for over a month that Johnson is seeking organizational alignment with management. Most took that to mean he prefers to work with a GM he knows and trusts. That is problematic since it seems the Bears intend to keep Poles. At the same time, he has yet to receive a contract extension. Nothing about this makes sense. Thankfully, Adam Hoge of CHGO provided some vital details. From what he gathers, Johnson is open to working with Poles, but not until the two have had a chance to meet.
It’s clear he wants the Bears job. That has been evident since last year. However, he won’t throw himself into a situation where he has no faith that the GM in charge can get the players he feels are necessary to win. He doesn’t know Poles. They’ve never worked together. The closest connection they have is that Poles attended Boston College, and Johnson worked there as a graduate assistant, but not at the same time. However, there is an important wrinkle. The coach reportedly has a relationship with Bears Director of Player Personnel Jeff King.
Both men were quarterbacks in the ACC during the mid-2000s, Johnson at North Carolina and King for Virginia Tech. It isn’t clear where their relationship evolved from there, but Albert Breer of the MMQB confirmed they’re well-acquainted. King got his two biggest promotions during Poles’ tenure as GM. They share a strong relationship. If anybody can talk him up to Ben Johnson, it would be King. That might explain why the coach is more open to working with the Bears GM compared to Trent Baalke in Jacksonville.
