CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Johnson, who has been the Lions' offensive coordinator the past three seasons, will fill the job vacated when Matt Eberflus was fired during the season.
Johnson, 38, was available to be hired after the Lions, who were the NFC's No. 1 seed in the playoffs, were stunned on Saturday night by the Washington Commanders.
He has rebuffed interest from teams the past few years but now will take over in Chicago to coach quarterback Caleb Williams, who said earlier this month that he was intrigued by Johnson's offense with the Lions.
"I'm very excited. We'll see what happens. We're going to take it one day at a time, but we're going to see if he can mold our quarterback to the next level," said Bears fan Mauricio Orellana.
Bears fans who gathered at the Commonwealth Tavern in Roscoe Village to watch the Notre Dame-Ohio State college football championship game on Monday said they hope Johnson can unlock Williams' full potential.
"I think it's a fantastic move. They need to do something like that. They've already got the defense solidified. They've got a young quarterback. Get somebody that can actually put something together and make it work for him," said Bears fan Jim Lloyd.
Ahead of the Bears' 34-17 loss to Detroit in December, Johnson offered similar praise over what he'd seen from Williams. In two games against the Lions, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft threw for 681 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.
"I think hope springs eternal, so I do hope it will start the turnaround that we're all hoping for," said Bears fan Ashish Kishore.
Johnson, known for his innovative playcalling, has coached the Lions to top-10 offenses the past two seasons, including second overall this year and No. 1 in points scored when they finished 15-2.
"Saw the news on my phone about Ben Johnson. I obviously knew about Notre Dame already, people getting excited for that, and then the Ben Johnson thing is just like bam, bam, sort of double whammy," said Bears fan Ethan Kirk.
The Bears finished 5-12 this season, last in the NFC North standings.
The Johnson news has been the talk of sports radio on Monday, including on "Waddle & Silvy" ON ESPN Chicago, where they talked about the work Johnson has ahead of him.
"You know, he's got to have the horses to run as well, and they need to get better on their offensive line. They've got to have a little more talent in a lot of areas, but yeah I'm excited about this opportunity that he has, and I think all Bears fans probably are as well," said Tom Waddle. "There are some that are a little concerned he doesn't have any head coaching experience. That is a touch of a risk. I get it, but I'm willing to roll those dice."
Johnson was actually born three-and-a-half months after the Bears last won a Super Bowl.
"I think it's now or never. I think Ben Johnson's the guy," another Bears fan said.
ABC7 Chicago's Eric Horng contributed to this report.