Cowboys’ Coaching Search Embarrasses as Ben Johnson Joins Bears
The NFL coaching carousel is well underway, but the Dallas Cowboys remain stuck in neutral. While other teams have moved swiftly to secure their next head coach, the Cowboys’ indecisive approach has left them scrambling and seemingly out of the running for top candidates.
The latest blow to Dallas came Monday when the Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. Johnson was widely regarded as the top candidate in this cycle, known for his innovative play-calling and ability to modernize offenses. His departure from the market leaves the Cowboys—and their fans—wondering what could have been.
This disappointment stems largely from the Cowboys’ mismanagement of the Mike McCarthy situation. Jerry Jones’ delay in making a decision on McCarthy’s future meant Dallas couldn’t move quickly to court top-tier candidates. By the time McCarthy’s fate was sealed, coaches like Johnson were already deep into talks with other teams.
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The Cowboys’ response to losing Johnson has done little to inspire confidence. Shortly after the Bears’ announcement, Dallas completed an in-person interview with Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier. While Frazier brings extensive experience—17 years as an NFL head coach or coordinator—his name doesn’t carry the same weight as Johnson’s in terms of offensive innovation. This disparity highlights Dallas’ apparent lack of urgency and vision in their search.
To make matters worse, there is no indication that the Cowboys ever seriously pursued Johnson. Perhaps he wouldn’t have accepted an interview, but the team’s inaction suggests he wasn’t even considered. The organization’s reliance on familiar names and personal connections—like Kellen Moore, Brian Schottenheimer, or even Deion Sanders—is a glaring indictment of their process.
Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, spent four seasons in the role but never elevated the unit to elite status. Schottenheimer, meanwhile, has a long resume but an unremarkable track record as a play-caller. Both pale in comparison to what Johnson could have brought to the table.
While there’s still time for Dallas to course-correct, their lack of initiative has already cost them one of the most promising coaching candidates in recent memory. The Bears hiring Johnson is a home run, and if he succeeds in Chicago, the Cowboys will have only themselves to blame for not even stepping up to the plate.