(670 The Score) Bears head coach Ben Johnson was the top candidate available in this past hiring cycle, as was the case the year before that.
But Johnson was selective about finding the right team to lead, citing his desire to have stability around him. He found that with the Bears, agreeing to that job in January largely due to what was in the organization already.
Johnson told the Mully & Haugh Show on Wednesday that he believes the Bears are set up for success because of that current stability.
“A lot of the structure was already in place,” Johnson said. “I’m talking about from great ownership to Kevin Warren as president to Ryan (Poles) as general manager and on the personnel side. There were a lot of things that I would’ve maybe struggled with if it was a first-time GM and we’re both finding our way. Ryan, naturally, he can help. He has helped so much already. He has helped in the springtime and in training camp. It’s really a good thing that he’s been around and been helpful that way.
“On the coaching staff, being able to get this collection of guys that has experience, they’ve done it at a high level, they’ve been to Super Bowls, they’ve won Super Bowls, they know what winning football looks like, head coaching experience on the staff, coordinating experience on the staff. I mean, we got a wealth of knowledge that makes my life a lot easier to where I’m not having to do this blind. I didn’t hire a bunch of buddies. I got a bunch of guys that don’t just tell me what I need to hear, they tell me what they feel like is the truth. And that goes a long way.
“It was by design that it was all structured this way. I think it gives us a better chance to get off the ground faster than maybe some other first-time head coaches.”
The Bears kick off the 2025 regular season Monday, Sept. 8, when they host the Vikings at Soldier Field.