Chicago Bears receive update on Ben Johnson’s plans

If Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn are general manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears‘ top choice in the franchise’s ongoing head coaching search, nothing is standing in the way of hiring them, now.

Following the Detroit Lions’ stunning loss to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Johnson and Glenn are essentially free agents, and free to be hired by any team, including the Bears.

Following the divisional round of the playoffs, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter offered an update on where things stand on Johnson and Glen’s potential hirings, and their timeline towards possibly making a decision on their next destination.

“They’re gonna fly, here,” Schefter said of how quickly Johnson and Glen will be hired, during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “Because, once the Lions were eliminated, it accelerated the hiring cycle that much more.”

Johson has been among the more coveted rising coordinators the past two hiring cycles, but instead, previously decided to return to Detroit where he became instrumental in the Lions’ offense developing into one of the more prolific in the sport.

What’s Next for Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson, and Aaron Glenn after Lions Playoff Loss

Likewise, Glen is viewed as a rising star, and his defense’s ability to withstand significant injuries to several key contributors down the stretch this season was as ringing an endorsement of his coaching abilities as the fact that Detroit finished the season ranked seventh in scoring defense, while holding opponents to just 20.1 points per game.

“You’re going to see Ben Johnson get a job,” Schefter said. “You’re going to see Aaron Glenn get a job. I would imagine that both of those guys have jobs no later than the middle of this week. Both of them.”

Tangibly, for the Bears, what the Lions’ playoff loss means is that Poles and Chicago can now interview Johnson and Glen in person, for the first time this offseason.

It sounds like, at least for Johnson and Glann, they won’t be on the market much longer.

“Once the Lions were eliminated it accelerated the hiring cycle that much more..

You’re gonna see Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn get head coaching jobs..

I would imagine that both of those guys have jobs by no later than the middle of this week” @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/lMy7nRrzca

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 20, 2025