The biggest domino in the NFL coaching cycle has fallen.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to make Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson their next head coach.
The 38-year-old Johnson spent the last five seasons on the Detroit Lions coaching staff, most notably the last three as the team’s offensive coordinator. During that three-year span, the Lions became one of the best offenses in the league.
This year, the Lions finished in the top six in passing, rushing, scoring and total offense and finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record. They led the league in touchdowns and scored 40 or more points six times as Johnson meshed a high-powered rushing attack with creative use of personnel. He was known to call trick plays at any time in any situation, and this year ran a hook-and-lateral to right tackle Penei Sewell and designed a play that called for Sewell to throw the ball.
