Ben Johnson Brings Key Advantage to Bears That Matt Eberflus Lacked
The Chicago Bears’ hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach signals a fundamental shift in philosophy from the tenure of Matt Eberflus. Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, brings a forward-thinking, quarterback-centric approach—something the Bears lacked under Eberflus, a defensive-minded coach whose tenure struggled to produce consistent offensive success.
An Offensive Guru in a Quarterback-Driven League
Johnson’s rise to prominence came through his success in Detroit, where he transformed the Lions’ offense into one of the most explosive units in the NFL. Under his leadership, Detroit ranked among the top-scoring teams in 2024, with quarterback Jared Goff experiencing a career resurgence. Johnson’s ability to tailor his system to maximize a quarterback’s strengths helped turn Goff from an afterthought into one of the most efficient passers in the league.
Now, he brings that expertise to Chicago, where the Bears have invested in Caleb Williams as their franchise quarterback. The team is expected to select Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Johnson’s arrival is designed to ensure the young signal-caller has the best possible environment to thrive. This represents a stark contrast to Eberflus’ approach, which focused on defensive principles while struggling to establish a consistent offensive identity.
Matt Eberflus’ Defensive Identity and Its Limitations
When Eberflus was hired in 2022, the Bears were looking for a culture-builder who could bring discipline and structure, particularly on defense. His philosophy revolved around the “HITS” principle—Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways, and Situational Awareness—which emphasized effort and accountability. However, while those values are important, they did not directly translate into offensive success, which is crucial in today’s NFL.
The Bears finished at or near the bottom of the league in passing yards and scoring offense during Eberflus’ tenure, despite having a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Justin Fields. The coaching staff failed to develop a passing game that complemented Fields’ skill set, ultimately leading to offensive inconsistency. While Eberflus’ defensive schemes showed promise—especially in 2023, when the Bears led the NFL in takeaways—the inability to establish an elite offense held the team back.
A Coach Who Prioritizes Quarterback Development
Johnson’s arrival changes that equation. Unlike Eberflus, he places quarterback development at the center of his coaching philosophy. He has publicly stated that his offensive scheme will be built around the strengths of his quarterback, rather than forcing a system that does not fit.
This adaptability was a key factor in Detroit’s offensive success. When Johnson took over as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, he implemented a system that played to Goff’s strengths—quick decision-making, accuracy in the intermediate passing game, and structured pocket movement. The results were evident: Detroit became a top-five offense, and Goff had one of the best seasons of his career.
Now, Johnson aims to replicate that success with Caleb Williams, who has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes due to his arm talent, off-platform playmaking, and improvisational ability. The Bears are expected to build their offense around Williams’ strengths, and Johnson’s ability to craft a system tailored to his quarterback’s skill set gives Chicago an edge it lacked under Eberflus.
Modernizing the Bears’ Offense
Beyond quarterback development, Johnson’s arrival signals a shift in overall offensive philosophy. Under Eberflus, the Bears relied heavily on the run game and did not establish a modern passing attack. In contrast, Johnson is expected to install an aggressive, creative passing game that stretches the field and forces defenses to account for multiple weapons.
This aligns with the direction of the modern NFL, where offensive innovation often separates contenders from pretenders. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals have all thrived with elite offensive minds designing schemes around their quarterbacks. Johnson’s hiring puts the Bears on that trajectory, finally giving them a coach who prioritizes offensive excellence.
A New Era for the Bears
While Matt Eberflus was respected for his leadership and defensive acumen, his tenure was ultimately defined by offensive struggles and a lack of progress in quarterback development. Ben Johnson’s hiring represents a clear pivot: the Bears are now building around their quarterback, ensuring that offensive success is the foundation of the franchise’s future.
With Johnson at the helm, Chicago is betting that a modern, quarterback-focused approach will lead to long-term success. If history is any indication, the Bears are in a much better position to compete in today’s NFL than they were under Eberflus.