What is Ben Johnson’s salary as the next head coach of the Chicago Bears?
As of now, Ben Johnson’s exact salary as the next head coach of the Chicago Bears has not been publicly disclosed. However, based on historical trends for NFL head coaching contracts, as well as Johnson’s previous success as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, we can make some educated guesses about his potential salary. To understand the salary range for Ben Johnson’s new role, we need to examine various factors that influence head coaching contracts in the NFL, including team financials, previous coaching salaries, and league-wide trends.
Historical NFL Head Coaching Salaries
In the NFL, head coaching salaries vary significantly depending on the team’s financial situation, the coach’s experience, and the marketability of the team. According to reports from previous seasons, NFL head coaches can earn anywhere from $3 million to $12 million annually, with some top-tier coaches in the league like Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, and Sean Payton commanding salaries that exceed $12 million per year.
For instance, in 2022, Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers was reported to have an annual salary of $9 million, while Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers earned approximately $5 million annually. It’s also important to note that NFL head coaches often have performance-based incentives written into their contracts, which can increase their compensation significantly depending on their team’s success.
When looking at Ben Johnson’s potential salary, it’s important to compare it to coaches who were hired in similar circumstances—coaches who were rising stars in the NFL but had limited head coaching experience.
Ben Johnson’s Career Background and Rising Stock
Ben Johnson is widely regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. His rise to prominence came quickly after being promoted from the Lions’ tight ends coach to offensive coordinator in 2021. Under his leadership, the Lions’ offense showed marked improvement, culminating in a top-10 offense in the NFL in 2023. His work with Jared Goff and the development of a diverse, high-scoring offense made Johnson one of the most sought-after coaching prospects in the NFL.
However, unlike some other high-profile head coaching hires, Johnson has limited head coaching experience at the NFL level. He’s been a coordinator for just a few seasons, which places him in a category of promising young coaches without a proven track record as a head coach. That said, his stock was undoubtedly high following the success of the Lions’ offense under his watch, and his ability to develop quarterbacks and call innovative plays made him an attractive candidate for teams looking to build for the future.
Given this context, Johnson’s salary as the head coach of the Chicago Bears will likely fall somewhere in the middle of the range for NFL head coaches—potentially in the range of $5 million to $8 million annually. This range reflects both his youth and relative inexperience as a head coach, combined with his impressive reputation as an offensive coordinator. It’s also worth considering that the Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, and the team’s decision to hire Johnson was driven in part by his ability to revitalize their struggling offense.
The Chicago Bears’ Financial Position
The financial health of the Chicago Bears also plays a key role in determining what Ben Johnson’s salary might be. The Bears are one of the wealthiest franchises in the NFL, with a long history of profitability. As a major market team, the Bears have the resources to pay competitive salaries to both players and coaches. The team’s ownership, led by the McCaskey family, has a history of paying competitive salaries, particularly when it comes to head coaches.
In recent years, the Bears have been in a rebuilding phase under the leadership of general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, who was let go after a few seasons. The team made a concerted effort to build a more balanced and competitive roster, and part of that strategy includes bringing in an offensive mind like Ben Johnson to help develop Justin Fields, their young quarterback. With the Bears’ financial position in mind, they are likely prepared to offer Johnson a competitive salary to lure him away from Detroit, especially considering how much of a premium Chicago places on revitalizing their offense.
While the Bears’ move to hire Johnson was driven by his ability to develop quarterbacks and design innovative offenses, their willingness to offer him a salary that reflects his value in the marketplace would be important to get him to leave Detroit, where he was highly valued.
The NFL Coaching Market and Salary Trends
The NFL coaching market has evolved over the years, with teams increasingly willing to pay top dollar for experienced, successful head coaches. However, the market for young, unproven head coaches has also risen dramatically, particularly when it comes to coordinators like Johnson who show the potential to turn around a struggling franchise.
The rise in salary offers for younger coaches can be seen in the compensation packages given to coaches like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, both of whom were hired at a young age with limited experience. Shanahan, for example, was hired by the San Francisco 49ers at the age of 37 in 2017, and his salary was reported to be in the $6 million to $7 million range. Similarly, Sean McVay earned a salary in the $7 million to $8 million range when he was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, despite being just 30 years old and with no prior head coaching experience.
While Johnson doesn’t have the same cachet as a Shanahan or McVay, his offensive success and potential to build a successful franchise offense put him in a similar position. The Bears, like many teams, are looking for the next great offensive mind, and they likely understand that Johnson’s price tag will be higher than that of a traditional first-time head coach. Therefore, it’s reasonable to estimate that Johnson’s salary will be in line with other rising stars in the coaching world, putting him in the $5 million to $8 million range annually.
The Bears’ Investment in the Future
The Chicago Bears are clearly making a long-term investment in their future with the hiring of Ben Johnson. While the team’s defense has traditionally been a strength, the Bears have struggled to develop a consistent and explosive offense in recent years. With the potential for a young quarterback like Justin Fields to take a step forward under Johnson’s tutelage, the Bears are hoping to create a more balanced team capable of competing for playoff spots and beyond.
The decision to offer Johnson a competitive salary is a reflection of the Bears’ commitment to finding a solution to their offensive woes. In today’s NFL, an effective offense is crucial to success, and the Bears are banking on Johnson’s ability to develop a high-flying unit capable of keeping up with the league’s most potent offenses.
From a financial perspective, the Bears are making an investment in Johnson, but they are also betting on the future success of their franchise. A well-performing offense under Johnson could lead to increased ticket sales, merchandise, and TV deals, all of which can offset the cost of his salary. This is an example of the long-term financial strategy at play, as the Bears look to position themselves for sustained success in the NFC North and the league as a whole.
Performance-Based Incentives
As with most head coaching contracts in the NFL, it is likely that Ben Johnson’s salary will include performance-based incentives. These incentives could include bonuses for winning divisional titles, making the playoffs, and advancing to the Super Bowl. Such clauses are common in NFL coaching contracts and are often tied to team performance. For Johnson, these performance-based incentives could significantly increase his earnings if he is able to turn around the Bears’ offense and lead the team to success.
Given the state of the Bears’ franchise, Johnson’s incentives could be structured around improving the team’s offensive rankings, particularly in terms of points scored, passing yards, and quarterback development. As a result, Johnson’s total earnings could rise above the base salary of $5 million to $8 million, depending on how successful he is in his first few seasons.
