Newly appointed Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has wasted no time implementing sweeping changes, with reports on Thursday confirming the release of five coaches from the organization.
Johnson, who previously served as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is beginning to shape the Bears in his vision after their disappointing 5-12 season.
Among those departing is interim head coach Thomas Brown, who stepped in following Matt Eberflus‘ midseason dismissal. Others leaving include interim offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Chris Beatty, offensive line coach Chris Morgan, quarterback coach Kerry Joseph, and defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
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This decisive move signals Johnson‘s intent to build a fresh coaching staff tailored to his philosophy, as he seeks to revitalize a franchise that finished at the bottom of the NFC North in 2023.
A season of unmet expectations
The Bears‘ season began with promise, boasting a 4-2 record in the first six weeks under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. However, a disastrous decline followed, resulting in their 5-12 finish. Despite the challenges, Johnson is optimistic about the team’s potential.
“Going into this season, I felt like this place was a sleeping giant,” Johnson said during his introductory press conference.
“There are three teams that made the playoffs this year. I’ve got tremendous respect for the coaches and players in this league, having competed against them for the last six years.”
The new coach acknowledged the team’s struggles but emphasized his readiness to address and resolve the issues that derailed the Bears‘ promising start.
“To be honest with you, I personally was more concerned about the Chicago Bears than I was about anyone else in this division,” Johnson said.
“Now there’s a number of reasons why that did not unfold, and that’s why I’m here. I’ll get to the bottom of that and see if we can’t get it corrected and cleaned up.”
Johnson‘s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Bears. His departure from Detroit comes on the heels of the Lions’ surprising playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, which left head coach Dan Campbell emotional in his postgame comments.
Despite the setback, Johnson brings valuable experience and a fresh perspective to Chicago. He inherits a team with promising talent, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and a fanbase eager for a resurgence.