Buckle up Chicago Bears fans, this is going to be another crazy offseason. With over $80 million in cap space, an ultra-talented quarterback in Caleb Williams, and a foundation already in place, the head coaching position will likely be the most coveted job opening in the NFL as team president Kevin Warren stated. Several names have been floating around the Bears for quite some time, however, two names have constantly been in discussion to possibly become the next Bears HC; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Tennessee Titans HC Mike Vrabel.
Anytime you hear an NFL insider talk about the Bears job, two names are always connected: Ben Johnson & Mike Vrabel.
A lot of smoke around Chicago and those two coaches. pic.twitter.com/qqcyYGFoM7
— Bearsszn (@bearssznn) December 11, 2024
Bears Head Coach Search Will Likely Come Down to Two Names
Mike Vrabel: Pros and Cons
Pros
- 2021 NFL Coach of the Year
- Made the playoffs in three of six seasons as the Titans HC
- Culture changer
- Led the Titans to an AFC Championship appearance
Cons
- Previous accounts of power struggles with upper management
- Not an offensive-minded head coach
What Mike Vrabel accomplished in Tennessee often goes underappreciated. He led a team quarterbacked by Ryan Tannehill to multiple playoff appearances and instilled a winning mentality in a franchise that needed it.
The Bears, in their current state, share similarities to the Titans when Vrabel took over—both teams in desperate need of a cultural overhaul. Vrabel’s no-nonsense leadership style and ability to maximize players’ potential make him an appealing option to coach the Bears.
Ben Johnson: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Top-rated offensive play-caller
- Leads numerous offensive statistical categories
- Young coach with immense potential
Cons
- Zero experience as head coach
- High asking price (15+ million)
Ben Johnson had an opportunity to become a head coach elsewhere last season but chose to stay in Detroit waiting for the right opportunity to become available. That sounds like he was waiting for the Bears to fire Matt Eberflus from a biased perspective.
While he lacks head coaching experience, his ability to revitalize Chicago’s stagnant offense could be game-changing. The biggest challenge for Johnson would be earning the respect of the locker room and fostering a cultural shift in his first year. But if he can overcome that hurdle, the Bears’ offense—especially with Caleb Williams—could reach unprecedented heights.
Weighing the Options
The decision boils down to a choice between experience and potential. Mike Vrabel is a safer option, bringing head coaching experience and a proven ability to change a team’s culture. On the other hand, Ben Johnson offers a higher ceiling with his offensive expertise, but his inexperience could be a gamble.
A key factor for either hire will be their ability to build a complementary coaching staff—Vrabel finding the right offensive coordinator to develop Caleb Williams, Johnson finding someone capable of running the defense. It’s a tricky situation because the Bears want to get this right, but the thought of potentially missing out on what the other candidate can bring to the table is stressful.
Verdict for the Next Bears Head Coach
As Colin Cowherd pointed out, hiring someone like Ben Johnson mirrors situations where young offensive minds like Matt LaFleur and Kyle Shanahan succeeded. Both inherited stable teams where they could focus on schemes rather than culture shifts. However, the Bears are currently in a different slate. They need a culture changer, which might make Vrabel the better fit for the current state of the franchise.
It’s a high-stakes decision for the Bears, with strong cases for both candidates. Regardless of who they choose, the organization must avoid repeating past mistakes.
Main Image: Denny Simmons – USA Today Sports
