caulfield12 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 5:12 PM, bmags said: I mean I think he was available, he was a real candidate for washington. I think he'd have taken Chicago, so the answer is that the bears chose Matt for some reason. Expand https://sports.yahoo.com/the-bears-needed-to-hire-a-coach-to-support-caleb-williams-with-ben-johnson-did-they-achieve-it-054758422.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 https://nypost.com/2025/01/21/sports/the-shocking-price-bears-paid-to-land-ben-johnson-as-coach/ Has JR even paid a manager besides TLR an even "competitive" salary? Johnson starts at 7th highest NFL salary, at $13 million. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleAleSox Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 5:57 PM, caulfield12 said: https://nypost.com/2025/01/21/sports/the-shocking-price-bears-paid-to-land-ben-johnson-as-coach/ Has JR even paid a manager besides TLR an even "competitive" salary? Johnson starts at 7th highest NFL salary, at $13 million. Expand The number is probably correct, but usually anything Florio says is bullshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 5:59 PM, PaleAleSox said: The number is probably correct, but usually anything Florio says is bullshit. Expand I’m generally not a fan of when he dreamcasts scenarios, but when it comes to stuff like this, concrete contract numbers and stuff that he isn’t guessing on, he is pretty much spot on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 3:20 PM, southsider2k5 said: It is all on Poles at this point. He HAS to get Williams and this squad a real offensive line. Both to give the offense time, but also to keep the offense ON the field, and keep the defense off it it. I don't think it was a coincidence that the defense seemed to get worse as the season went on, and that was from being on the field too damned much. Expand They also need to get Williams to release quicker. He was back there forever which increased the sack rate. My hunch is the receivers have the talent, they just need better schemes and play calling to get open sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 https://www.theringer.com/2023/08/14/nfl/how-detroit-lions-offensive-coordinator-ben-johnson-fixed-jared-goff Great article about how Johnson runs his offense. One of the Bears' biggest issues this past year was that they looked unprepared. A better way to put it was that they look like they don't even practice together. Everything spelled out in this article was the opposite of that. Hell, this isn't even some puff piece put out to make Johnson look good for this hiring cycle. It's from 2 seasons ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 6:28 PM, chw42 said: https://www.theringer.com/2023/08/14/nfl/how-detroit-lions-offensive-coordinator-ben-johnson-fixed-jared-goff Great article about how Johnson runs his offense. One of the Bears' biggest issues this past year was that they looked unprepared. A better way to put it was that they look like they don't even practice together. Everything spelled out in this article was the opposite of that. Hell, this isn't even some puff piece put out to make Johnson look good for this hiring cycle. It's from 2 seasons ago. Expand There is going to be something VERY interesting to watch in training camp and throughout the season. The 2024 Bears wouldn't shut up in the media about wanting a coach that brought in more accountability, challenged the players more, etc. There were also multiple players that mentioned some members of the team being the last one in, first one out, etc. Names were never discussed or disclosed. I think Caleb was pretty fantastic in his media availability and seemed like the most mature player on the team most times, but I can't say I don't wonder if Caleb could be one of the guys that falls into that "last one in" category. I certainly hope that isn't the case, but in the article above, Goff talks about being a "mutt" and how much time they spent together just talking shop, offensive ideas, etc...I really hope Caleb takes that same approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 4:34 PM, Kyyle23 said: Honest question, if last season Ben Johnson decided he WAS available instead of saying he had unfinished business in Detroit, do you believe the Bears would have let Flus go and hired Johnson Expand No. Next question. When did they first realize they could land him? Months ago? Weeks ago? Days ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 On 1/21/2025 at 6:36 PM, Tony said: There is going to be something VERY interesting to watch in training camp and throughout the season. The 2024 Bears wouldn't shut up in the media about wanting a coach that brought in more accountability, challenged the players more, etc. There were also multiple players that mentioned some members of the team being the last one in, first one out, etc. Names were never discussed or disclosed. I think Caleb was pretty fantastic in his media availability and seemed like the most mature player on the team most times, but I can't say I don't wonder if Caleb could be one of the guys that falls into that "last one in" category. I certainly hope that isn't the case, but in the article above, Goff talks about being a "mutt" and how much time they spent together just talking shop, offensive ideas, etc...I really hope Caleb takes that same approach. Expand I don't get the feeling the Caleb liked losing or being sacked almost 70 times. I think the last staff was probably not hard enough on vets and maybe gave them special treatment. That probably includes Caleb since he was the #1 pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Alright - I'm going to go on a sidebar - but once the coaching staff is finalized, Bears focus has to be on the oline. From a way way too early perspective, I'm thinking Bears have significant work to do on the line(s) and are going to need to do it through a combination of free agency, the trade market, and the draft in a year where I don't know that the Bears will have a LT on the board worthy of the #10 pick and if they want to focus on oline they may need to actually move down to better align with positional value. So hypothetically - I'm thinking Bears trade down from 10 to 20 (this is hypothetical - not sure whether Broncos would be a fit), Bears would get 20 plus a 2nd & 4th to make up the difference in value (per Jimmy Johnson trade chart). That move gives you 20, plus 3 2nd round picks, your 3rd pick, and than the 4th rounder you got (since we traded ours for Keenan). With that - you now have quite a bit of ammo to handle the interior of the line plus add a potential skill position upgrade or two and some defensive candidates. You still have cap space and you have flexibility to make a deal. Say a strong guard is on the market - maybe you trade a 2nd rounder for the guard and a 3rd rounder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 1:28 AM, Chisoxfn said: Alright - I'm going to go on a sidebar - but once the coaching staff is finalized, Bears focus has to be on the oline. From a way way too early perspective, I'm thinking Bears have significant work to do on the line(s) and are going to need to do it through a combination of free agency, the trade market, and the draft in a year where I don't know that the Bears will have a LT on the board worthy of the #10 pick and if they want to focus on oline they may need to actually move down to better align with positional value. So hypothetically - I'm thinking Bears trade down from 10 to 20 (this is hypothetical - not sure whether Broncos would be a fit), Bears would get 20 plus a 2nd & 4th to make up the difference in value (per Jimmy Johnson trade chart). That move gives you 20, plus 3 2nd round picks, your 3rd pick, and than the 4th rounder you got (since we traded ours for Keenan). With that - you now have quite a bit of ammo to handle the interior of the line plus add a potential skill position upgrade or two and some defensive candidates. You still have cap space and you have flexibility to make a deal. Say a strong guard is on the market - maybe you trade a 2nd rounder for the guard and a 3rd rounder? Expand Combine the above with say a big free agent oline signing (even if you have to overpay say the Chiefs guard) and signing the Lions center to a short-term deal (and draft his replacement in the 3rd - 4th round) and add at least one 1st or 2nd round pick on the oline to go with Wright and that is a better line. Bring back Pryor as a depth move and you still have Jones and Kiran, plus Bates I suppose (if you think he is healthy) and that is a much improved line and the interior would be pretty strong. You than can take one more bite at the apple in terms of pass rush too - maybe its a shorter term deal on Mack (or someone else - until you have enough draft capital) and than add a speedy wideout, certainly a running back (in the above scenario I would be on board with a RB in Rnd 2 or 3), a db or two and a dlinemen plus some more free agent moves and I'd feel like that is a HUGE step forward. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago White Sox Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/21/2025 at 5:57 PM, caulfield12 said: https://nypost.com/2025/01/21/sports/the-shocking-price-bears-paid-to-land-ben-johnson-as-coach/ Has JR even paid a manager besides TLR an even "competitive" salary? Johnson starts at 7th highest NFL salary, at $13 million. Expand That Raiders posturing by his agent definitely paid off for Johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 (edited) On 1/22/2025 at 1:51 AM, Chicago White Sox said: That Raiders posturing by his agent definitely paid off for Johnson Expand Whereas the Royals passing on Grifol lowered his salary... Edited January 22 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexSoxFan#1 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 (edited) Dare I say, I'm feeling hopeful. Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in. Edited January 22 by MexSoxFan#1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 He didn’t sound like he had stage fright. So, that’s great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Man seeing Aaron Glenn’s list for OCs, who may be good, makes me so so so happy to not have a defensive coach. Just such a crapshoot elevating QB coaches you’ve never worked with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 johnson really does sound much more confident in everything he says Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Liam Coen removed himself from consideration for the Jaguars job, and shortly after that, Trent Baalke got fired 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Jags organization might be more ass backwards than the Bears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 8:39 PM, SoxAce said: Jags organization might be more ass backwards than the Bears. Expand Their owner is more interested in seeing them in London than seeing them succeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 Talk about a home run opening day. Means nothing in long run but talk about nailing the press conference and the subsequent radio interviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 8:43 PM, Chisoxfn said: Talk about a home run opening day. Means nothing in long run but talk about nailing the press conference and the subsequent radio interviews. Expand Sign Hank Fraley to put the cherry on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 1:39 AM, Chisoxfn said: Combine the above with say a big free agent oline signing (even if you have to overpay say the Chiefs guard) and signing the Lions center to a short-term deal (and draft his replacement in the 3rd - 4th round) and add at least one 1st or 2nd round pick on the oline to go with Wright and that is a better line. Bring back Pryor as a depth move and you still have Jones and Kiran, plus Bates I suppose (if you think he is healthy) and that is a much improved line and the interior would be pretty strong. You than can take one more bite at the apple in terms of pass rush too - maybe its a shorter term deal on Mack (or someone else - until you have enough draft capital) and than add a speedy wideout, certainly a running back (in the above scenario I would be on board with a RB in Rnd 2 or 3), a db or two and a dlinemen plus some more free agent moves and I'd feel like that is a HUGE step forward. Expand Kaleb Johnson is going to be a solid NFL running back...haven't seen him slotted in many mock first rounds, just Jeanty at this point. And he's all over the place, from near 10-12 to the very bottom of the round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 10:03 PM, caulfield12 said: Kaleb Johnson is going to be a solid NFL running back...haven't seen him slotted in many mock first rounds, just Jeanty at this point. And he's all over the place, from near 10-12 to the very bottom of the round. Expand Johnson should be there in the 2nd round. Henderson and Judkins should be available in the 3rd. Unless the combine really changes perception on those backs, the Bears should be able to grab 1 of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/22/2025 at 9:06 PM, Tony said: Sign Hank Fraley to put the cherry on top. Expand The problem is that Seattle is offering him play calling duties. He'd really only get a promotion in name if he came to the Bears as OC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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