CHICAGO (WGN) — Information continues to emerge about the Chicago Bears’ looming pursuit of a new head coach. The presumptive top candidate — Ben Johnson — is tied to the latest details suggesting he would want a new general manager if he came to Chicago.
According to Walter Football draft analyst Charlie Campbell, team sources told him the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator wants the job, but Johnson’s hire would likely push out incumbent general manager Ryan Poles in the process.
Campbell said Johnson would likely want to work with Washington Commanders’ assistant general manager Lance Newmark.
Newmark was hired as Washington’s assistant GM in February before the 2024 NFL season began, but previously spent 26 years with the Lions. He most recently held the position of senior director of player personnel in Detroit, where he oversaw both college and pro scouting operations during the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons.
Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Lions in February 2022.
With this reservation in mind, Campbell said Poles would likely pursue Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores as another Bears’ head-coaching candidate, given their past relationship.
Flores and Poles both played college football at Boston College, where their playing careers overlapped in 2003.
Former No. 1 overall pick and rookie starting quarterback for Chicago, Caleb Williams, said he welcomes whatever influence the Bears offer him in hiring the team’s next head coach.
“Whatever, I guess, they allow. I know that I’m a rookie and a young guy so, if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make decisions and make those types of decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, [I’ll] just hope and believe and [have] faith that those guys upstairs, they make the right decisions. That’s that and if I’m a part of it, then great.”
Chicago is 4-12 and will finish last in the NFC North for the third consecutive year. The Bears take on the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.