ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Chicago Bears have chosen former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach and are finalizing contract details. The Bears land one of the most intriguing names on the market, a move that could impact the San Francisco 49ers.
Bear down: Chicago is finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Bears are getting their man. pic.twitter.com/UwlLk3wNJZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
Last week, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated identified Johnson as one of two front-runners for another head coaching vacancy—the Jacksonville Jaguars job. The other favorite? Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Now that Johnson is heading to Chicago, what does that mean for Saleh, who earned a second interview with the Jaguars this week?
RELATED 49ers' wait for Robert Saleh continues; Jaguars schedule second interview
Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently described 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's defensive coordinator search as "Saleh or bust." While Saleh has already interviewed for the 49ers' defensive coordinator role, the team has yet to speak with many other external candidates. The only other known name so far is Detroit Lions defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.
Shanahan also noted that 49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley is in the mix, but that feels like a long shot unless other options fall through. Saleh is clearly the favorite to replace Nick Sorensen in Santa Clara.
As for the Jaguars, their management structure may have influenced Johnson's decision to look elsewhere. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Jacksonville's setup "wasn't in line with what [Johnson] was looking for in his first head coaching job."
The Jacksonville Jaguars were also interested in Ben Johnson but I'm told the setup wasn't in line with what he was looking for in his first head coaching job.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 20, 2025
Breer previously suggested that Johnson would only have taken the Jaguars' job if it involved parting ways with general manager Trent Baalke. Saleh, however, appears more open to working with the often-controversial general manager.
The Jaguars are also bringing in other candidates for second interviews, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
The #Jaguars are bringing several candidates in for second head coach interviews, including;
— #Bucs OC Liam Cohen
— #Raiders DC Patrick Graham, per me and @TomPelissero
— Former #Jets coach Robert Saleh.Possibly more.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 20, 2025
