According to an NFL insider, Ben Johnson chose the Chicago Bears for a single reason.

In a shocking move that sent waves through the NFL community, Ben Johnson, the highly regarded offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, has decided to leave his role and accept the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. This decision was unexpected to many, especially considering Johnson’s rapid rise to prominence in Detroit, where he had engineered one of the NFL’s most dynamic and successful offenses. Johnson had an opportunity to remain with a Lions team that was on the upswing and had proven his value as an offensive mastermind. So, why would he choose to leave a successful environment in Detroit for the historically struggling Chicago Bears?

According to an NFL insider, Ben Johnson’s choice to take the Chicago Bears head coaching job was motivated by a singular, decisive factor. While numerous elements likely contributed to his decision—such as the opportunity for a fresh challenge, a chance to lead a team, and the financial incentive—the insider revealed that there was one reason above all others that led Johnson to choose Chicago: the chance to work with Justin Fields, the Bears’ young, talented quarterback.

Fields’ immense potential as a dynamic, mobile quarterback who can make plays both in the pocket and on the move is exactly the type of challenge that excites modern NFL offensive minds. Johnson, who has worked with quarterbacks before, including Jared Goff, saw in Fields the ability to become the centerpiece of a high-powered offense. This vision of developing a young quarterback with extraordinary talent into an elite NFL player ultimately proved to be the driving force behind Johnson’s decision to make the leap to the Bears.

In this article, we will take a deeper look at why Johnson’s focus on working with Fields became the deciding factor in his career move, how the opportunity fits into the current landscape of the NFL, and what this decision means for both Johnson’s future and the Chicago Bears.

The Justin Fields Factor: A Quarterback with Limitless Potential

At the heart of Ben Johnson’s decision to leave Detroit for Chicago is the allure of working with Justin Fields, a young quarterback who has shown flashes of brilliance since being drafted by the Bears in 2021. Fields’ potential is undeniable—he possesses rare physical attributes, including blazing speed, a powerful arm, and the ability to improvise and extend plays when things break down. However, despite his clear talent, Fields has struggled to consistently put it all together in his first few seasons.

In his rookie year, Fields flashed moments of brilliance but also displayed the typical inconsistencies that come with being a young quarterback in the NFL. The Bears’ offense, under former head coach Matt Nagy, struggled to establish a rhythm, and Fields was often forced to make plays with limited support. The lack of a strong offensive line and a proven supporting cast around him didn’t help either, making Fields’ development a challenge.

Nevertheless, Johnson saw an immense opportunity in Fields. Having watched Fields’ tape, Johnson recognized that the young quarterback’s skill set was tailor-made for the modern, high-powered offenses that are taking over the NFL. Fields’ ability to make plays on the run, throw the ball deep with accuracy, and be a true dual-threat quarterback in the mold of players like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts is the type of player that any offensive coach would dream of having at their disposal.

Johnson, who built his reputation in Detroit by revitalizing the career of Jared Goff, a quarterback many thought had peaked, is likely looking at Fields in much the same way. Just as Goff benefited from Johnson’s innovative offense in Detroit, Johnson believes that Fields’ ceiling could be even higher with the right coaching and system in place.

One of Johnson’s key attributes as a coach is his ability to develop quarterbacks. His work with Goff, who had a career resurgence in Detroit after a rough stint with the Los Angeles Rams, demonstrated Johnson’s aptitude for taking a quarterback and unlocking their best version. Johnson has shown that he can design an offense that maximizes the skill set of his quarterback, and in Fields, he has a young player who could be one of the league’s most exciting quarterbacks if given the right tools and coaching.

For Johnson, the chance to work with a quarterback like Fields is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While there were other head coaching offers on the table, none of them presented a situation where Johnson could develop a young, athletic quarterback with such immense upside. Fields’ growth as a player could define the next decade of Bears football, and Johnson believes that with the right system in place, he can help Fields realize that potential.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Working with Fields

There’s no denying that Fields’ development will be a challenge, but it’s precisely this challenge that likely attracted Johnson to the job. The Bears’ offense has long been a weak point, and their quarterback play has been inconsistent at best. However, Johnson thrives in environments where his creativity and ability to adapt are required. His work with Goff in Detroit, where Johnson helped Goff become a more consistent and efficient passer, is an example of his ability to work with quarterbacks who need guidance and development.

To successfully develop Fields, Johnson will have to address a few key areas. First, he will need to improve Fields’ consistency in the passing game. While Fields can make spectacular throws, he has been prone to inaccuracy and decision-making mistakes, particularly when under pressure. Johnson will have to work with Fields to improve his timing, footwork, and overall understanding of the passing game.

Second, Johnson will need to maximize Fields’ strengths as a dual-threat quarterback. Fields is an exceptional athlete with the ability to escape pressure and make plays with his legs, but he has often been used in a more traditional pocket-passing scheme. Johnson will likely design an offense that capitalizes on Fields’ mobility, incorporating more read-option plays, bootlegs, and designated quarterback runs to keep defenses on their toes. Additionally, Johnson may lean heavily on play-action to create opportunities for Fields to make big throws downfield while also keeping the defense off-balance.

Lastly, protecting Fields will be a top priority. The Bears’ offensive line has been a weakness for years, and Johnson will need to address this issue through scheme and player development. A quarterback like Fields, who relies on both his arm and his legs, needs a solid offensive line to create a stable pocket and allow him to utilize his full range of abilities. Johnson’s play-calling will likely help mask some of the line’s deficiencies, but long-term success will require improvements in this area as well.

Despite the challenges, the opportunity to mold Fields into a top-tier quarterback is what makes the job so appealing to a coach like Johnson. Fields has the raw talent and the tools to become one of the league’s premier quarterbacks, and with the right guidance, he could lead the Bears back to relevance in the NFC North.

Johnson’s Vision for the Bears

When Ben Johnson accepted the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears, he didn’t just see a team in need of a coach—he saw an organization that was on the cusp of a transformation. The Bears, despite their struggles, have a number of young, talented players on the roster. In addition to Fields, the Bears have promising pieces on defense, such as Roquan Smith and Jaquan Brisker, and solid offensive contributors like David Montgomery and Darnell Mooney.

Johnson’s vision for the Bears likely includes building an explosive, modern offense that can challenge defenses in new and innovative ways. Much like his work with the Detroit Lions, Johnson will aim to create a balanced attack that keeps opponents guessing. A big part of that vision is centered around Justin Fields, but Johnson will also need to add more weapons to the offense through the draft and free agency. The Bears’ receiving corps, in particular, has been a point of criticism, and adding talent at wide receiver will be crucial in giving Fields the support he needs to succeed.

Another critical aspect of Johnson’s vision for the Bears is instilling a winning culture. While Johnson’s expertise is on offense, his leadership and ability to motivate players will play a key role in turning around a team that has struggled for years. Johnson is known for his ability to build relationships with players and develop their trust, which will be essential in getting the best out of Fields and the rest of the team.

The Future of the Bears: A New Era Under Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson’s decision to join the Chicago Bears represents a pivotal moment in the team’s history. While the Bears’ struggles have been well-documented, the hiring of Johnson provides a sense of hope for fans and a renewed sense of purpose within the organization. The decision to focus on Justin Fields as the centerpiece of his coaching philosophy signals that Johnson is committed to building a modern, high-powered offense that will put the Bears in a position to compete in the NFC North and beyond.

If Johnson is successful in developing Fields and building an offense that can score points consistently, the Bears could become a dangerous team in the near future. The key to this success will lie in Johnson’s ability to get the best out of Fields, and with his track record of working with quarterbacks, there’s reason for optimism in Chicago.

In the end, it was the opportunity to mold Justin Fields into a superstar quarterback that made this job so attractive to Ben Johnson. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Bears, Johnson will be hoping to fulfill his vision of a transformed Bears offense and a franchise reborn through the development of one of the most promising quarterbacks in the NFL.