“This is the Price to Land Him” — Mike Florio Reveals Bold Strategy for Bears to Steal Lions OC Ben Johnson
The clock was ticking. The NFL offseason was just beginning to heat up, and the Chicago Bears were staring down the barrel of a critical decision: who would be the man to guide their struggling offense back to prominence? With the likes of Justin Fields waiting to take the next step in his development, the answer seemed clear—Chicago needed someone who could transform its offense, someone with a track record of success and a vision for the future.
Enter Ben Johnson, the brilliant offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, who had turned their offense from an afterthought into one of the most dangerous units in the league. His innovative play calling, combined with a deep understanding of modern offensive football, made him one of the most coveted coaching minds in the NFL. And now, Mike Florio, the renowned NFL insider, had just dropped a bombshell on his latest segment: the Bears were preparing to make a bold move to bring Johnson to Chicago.
“This is the price to land him,” Florio said, his voice carrying the weight of insider knowledge. “The Bears aren’t just going to offer him a contract and hope for the best. No, they’re ready to do whatever it takes to steal him from Detroit.”
The move had been in the works for weeks. Rumors had swirled around the NFL’s coaching circles that the Bears were eyeing Johnson as their top candidate to turn their offense around, and now it was becoming clear just how far they were willing to go. The Bears knew that Johnson was the kind of transformative talent that could lift Fields to the next level and ignite a once-proud franchise back to relevancy. But getting him wouldn’t be easy. Johnson was beloved in Detroit, and the Lions weren’t exactly eager to let him slip away.
“They know that luring Johnson away from Detroit is going to take more than just a bigger paycheck,” Florio continued. “This isn’t about money alone. It’s about power. It’s about influence. The Bears are prepared to offer Johnson something Detroit can’t: full control over the offense and a chance to build the system his way.”
Florio’s words hung in the air like a challenge to Detroit’s brass. The Lions had already experienced the brilliance of Johnson’s mind, and his ability to design game plans that maximized his players’ strengths was a key reason for the Lions’ offensive success. However, Chicago was offering a clean slate. A fresh start where Johnson could craft the offense around Fields, shape it into his vision, and implement his cutting-edge strategies without the constraints of an existing system.
The offer wasn’t just about control—it was about security. Chicago was offering Johnson the promise of a long-term partnership, something that would allow him to fully invest in the Bears’ future. This was a chance for him to be part of something big, to be the architect of a dynasty that could transform the NFC North. The lure of legacy was undeniable.
But would it work?
Detroit wasn’t going to let go without a fight. The Lions had already expressed their intent to retain Johnson, making it clear that they viewed him as a central piece of their future. Dan Campbell, Detroit’s head coach, had gushed about Johnson’s impact on the team, and the Lions were preparing to offer him a lucrative deal to keep him around.
Yet, in a league where success often hinges on timing and opportunity, the Bears were playing their cards with precision. Chicago wasn’t going to wait around for Johnson to become a head coach elsewhere—if they wanted him, they had to act now, before the Lions could lock him in for good.
As the clock continued to tick down, Bears fans waited with bated breath. This wasn’t just a coaching hire—it was a franchise-defining decision. The future of Justin Fields, the direction of the offense, and the identity of the Bears all hinged on one man’s choice: Ben Johnson.
The tension in Chicago was mounting, and Florio’s report had added fuel to the fire. Would the Bears be able to pull off the heist of the offseason? Or would Detroit’s commitment to Johnson keep him entrenched as one of the brightest minds in the NFC? Either way, the race was on, and Mike Florio had made one thing clear: this was the price to land him, and Chicago was ready to pay it.
