Given the Bears’ abundance of wage cap house, ability place expertise and the presence of proficient rookie-contract QB Caleb Williams, it’s simple to see why they consider their HC submit is essentially the most fascinating amongst these which might be anticipated to be accessible in 2025. Invoice Belichick, earlier than he made the stunning determination to hitch the faculty ranks, reportedly shared that view.
The attractiveness of the job in a vacuum is one factor, however a November report prompt that Johnson could avoid the Bears on account of perceived organizational dysfunction. Nevertheless, subsequent studies famous that Johnson may indeed consider the Chicago gig, and as we speak, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Community said that the 38-year-old offensive guru is “intrigued” by the place and is keen to hearken to the Bears’ pitch. As we had beforehand heard that Johnson isn’t going to interview merely for the sake of interviewing, any summit he conducts with Bears brass would seemingly point out that he’s ready to just accept the job if supplied.
Whereas the Bears have been stated to be prioritizing a “chief of males” sort of head coach over a candidate with a selected background, Johnson’s popularity as an offensive mastermind isn’t solely in step with the pattern in as we speak’s HC searches, however it might be particularly useful to a group trying to unlock the potential of a blue chip prospect like Williams.
And, regardless of turning down what was usually thought to be a equally interesting submit with the Commanders within the 2024 hiring interval, Johnson reiterated that he needs to take a group’s high job in some unspecified time in the future.
“I believe there’s a burning need in each man to seek out what he’s made out of and push the boundaries and see if he’s received what it takes,” Johnson stated, by way of Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “And so yeah, there’s a fireplace there. Now, when that point is? I don’t know when that’ll be, however there’s definitely a fireplace there.”
When requested particularly about Williams, Johnson was complimentary however conceded that he had probably not studied the rookie’s tape.
“Pay attention, it’s been troublesome to take a seat down and simply examine each throw however loads of crossover tape over the course of the 12 months and there’s no query this man’s proficient,” Johnson stated. “I bear in mind standing on the sideline final recreation and simply you’ll be able to hear the ball whistle by you. He’s received fairly a fastball and has some creativity to him, can lengthen performs and is correct down the sector as properly. Like I stated, I haven’t actually dove in and may let you know way more past that, however he’s been spectacular from afar.”
Whether or not Johnson lastly decides to maneuver on from Detroit can be maybe the highest query with regards to the 2025 HC carousel. If he does, it appears the Bears can be firmly within the combine.
Apparently, Johnson – a UNC alum – was not contacted by the school to debate its head teaching emptiness, as Birkett notes in a separate piece. After all, that job went to Belichick, who will proceed his legendary profession because the Tar Heels’ skipper.
