In a situation that’s been unfolding for months, the Chicago Bears have long been linked to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. While many assumed it was always a long shot, the Bears’ owner, George McCaskey, may have just made that decision for Johnson with his remarks on Tuesday. After McCaskey’s comments, it feels like he practically sent Johnson a text saying, “Just stay in Detroit.”
It’s no secret that Johnson was looking for one thing above all else in his potential next job — organizational alignment. This is exactly why the question about alignment was posed to McCaskey, who, despite having a perfect opportunity to respond thoughtfully, instead missed the mark entirely. It was an unforced error — a layup that he passed out to the far corner when he had a clear shot at the basket.
Currently, Johnson is scheduled to have a virtual interview with the Bears this week during the Lions’ bye week. But with the Bears’ recent display of apparent disinterest in organizational fit, it wouldn’t be surprising if Johnson either skips the meeting or decides not to proceed with a second one. The lack of alignment might just have sealed the deal.
As of now, the biggest roadblock standing between Ben Johnson and a potential new head coaching role is the New England Patriots. Reports indicate the Patriots are very interested in Mike Vrabel, so it remains to be seen whether that dynamic shifts. But for now, it looks like the Bears’ misstep might have solidified Detroit as the place for Johnson to stay.
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Kerby Joseph Faces More Setbacks to Kick Off the New Year, Joined by Two Fellow Lions
The NFL appears to be targeting Kerby Joseph in 2025. First, coaches, players, and executives denied him a spot in the Pro Bowl, costing him millions of dollars. Now, the league is imposing another fine for his actions against the 49ers last Monday.
To be fair, Joseph’s move seemed foolish in the moment. While it was a correct decision in terms of protecting his teammate, it ended up giving the 49ers a first down near the goal line, providing them with a chance to score. As a result, he was fined $7,505.
In contrast, Jauan Jennings received a higher fine of $11,817 for his actions. Sadly, Terrion Arnold was also fined $11,817, despite being justified in his actions, according to most people.
Additionally, the league penalized Brian Branch with his seventh fine of the season after an incident following a tackle on Jennings late in the game. His fine of $10,128 brings his total to $70,896. Fortunately, he has a way to recover that amount.
