Kristopher Knox@@kris_knoxCorrespondent IJanuary 21, 2025

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3. Ben JohnsonMichael Reaves/Getty Images
4. At the top of the 2024 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears grabbed a potential franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. On Monday, Chicago landed a new head coach who will, hopefully, help Williams become a top-10 signal-caller.
5. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bears are finalizing a deal with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
6. Johnson has felt like a logical target for the Bears, pretty much, since the firing of Matt Eberflus. Developing Williams has become the franchise’s biggest priority, and Johnson oversaw one of the league’s most explosive and creative offenses in Detroit.
7. While there’s no guarantee that the 38-year-old Johnson will be a successful head coach, he checks all the boxes for Chicago’s quarterback.
8. “Selfishly, I want an offensive-minded guy so I can build with him and be with that coach for the next 19, 17, 15 years,” Williams said, per NFL.com’s Eric Edholm.
9. Hiring Johnson is the first step in turning the page on Williams’ up-and-down rookie campaign. The Bears, however, must continue building an offensive supporting cast that can accentuate the quarterback’s strengths and Johnson’s system.
10. Which free agents and top draft prospects would make the most sense for Chicago? Let’s take a look.
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13. Bears general manager Ryan PolesTodd Rosenberg/Getty Images
14. While the Bears moved on from Eberflus back in November, they retained general manager Ryan Poles. The GM’s presence loomed as a potential obstacle in Chicago’s pursuit of Johnson, because Johnson reportedly preferred total front-office alignment.
15. “He has two criteria: organizational alignment, and recognition from a team of its mistakes with a willingness to fix them,” Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer wrote in December.
16. That preference for alignment made it easy to connect the dots between Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders, who have interviewed Washington Commanders assistant GM and longtime Lions executive Lance Newmark, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
17. It seems, however, that Johnson and Poles were already primed for a partnership.

Peter Schrager @PSchrags

Little tidbit from the notebook… Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson had a mutual respect for each other, and a shared resume bullet and connection as former Graduate Assistants at Boston College.

1. For the Bears, this means that building the roster Johnson wants shouldn’t be an issue. What he wants, he’ll likely get, and Chicago has the capital needed to add several impact pieces this offseason.
2. Chicago is projected to have $69.3 million in cap space, fourth-most in the NFL. The Bears are also set to have eight total draft selections, including the 10th overall pick and a pair of second-round selections—they have a second-rounder coming from the Carolina Panthers as part of the Bryce Young trade.
3. Before the Poles and Johnson decide who they want to add in free agency and the draft, of course, they must evaluate and make decisions on their own impending free agents and extension-eligible players.
4. The list of notable Chicago free agents includes wide receiver Keenan Allen, guard Teven Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton and linebacker Jack Sanborn (restricted). The list of players who could receive extensions includes safety Jaquan Brisker, offensive tackle Braxton Jones, cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards.
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7. Chiefs G Trey SmithNick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
8. The Bears have the financial flexibility needed to chase some big names when free agency’s legal-contact window opens on March 10. Rebuilding the interior of the offensive line should be a top priority of the first wave of free agency, for a couple of reasons.
9. For one, Chicago’s line did Williams no favors during his rookie season. He was sacked 68 times, and while a propensity for holding onto the ball was part of the issue, the line wasn’t good.
10. Pro Football Focus ranked Chicago’s line 24th in the NFL for the 2024 season. While the unit graded better in pass protection than in run blocking, supporting Williams with a stronger rushing attack should be part of Johnson’s plan.
11. A multi-faceted rushing attack and a powerful offensive line were the calling cards of Johnson’s offense in Detroit. Therefore, Chicago should target high-end, starting-caliber free agents like Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, Philadelphia Eagles guard Mekhi Becton and Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman early in free agency.
12. Smith, the second-ranked player on Bleacher Report’s latest free agent big board, is a particularly logical target for the new-look Bears. His ability to win blocking matchups in confined spaces and on the move has played a massive role in Kansas City’s march to another AFC title game.
13. The Bears may also consider targeting Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, if they don’t view Jones as worthy of an extension. Jones has been a capable starter for stretches, but allowed five sacks in 2024, according to PFF, and was only healthy for 12 games.
14. Stanley, the fourth-ranked free agent on the B/R board, started all 17 games and played 98 percent of the offensive snaps for Baltimore in 2024.
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17. Giants edge Azeez OjulariCooper Neill/Getty Images
18. While finding offensive aid will likely be the biggest focus of the early offseason, Chicago isn’t in a position to simply ignore its defense. Supporting a young quarterback with a strong defense is always a good idea, and Johnson knows firsthand how quickly injuries and a lack of depth on that side of the ball can derail a season.
19. Chicago’s defense ranked 13th in points allowed but only 27th overall in 2024.
20. Targeting a young, high-end pass-rusher like Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants would be sensible. Ojulari, the sixth-ranked free agent on the B/R board, would be a fine long-term complement to 2023 trade acquisition Montez Sweat on the edge in Chicago.
21. Ojulari recorded six sacks in 11 games with five starts for the Giants in 2024, and he won’t turn 25 until June.
22. If the Bears are willing to go a little older on the edge, a reunion with Khalil Mack could also make sense.
23. Chicago’s defense could also benefit from adding a high-end safety on the back end. The Bears relied on 31-year-old Kevin Byard III in 2024 and saw underwhelming results. Byard allowed an opposing passer rating of 116.8 in coverage.
24. Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, the fifth-ranked free agent on the B/R board, would be an immediate upgrade at free safety and could fit right into Chicago’s long-term plan. He’ll turn just 25 in March.
25. Chicago could also use depth at defensive tackle. Andrew Billings suffered a season-ending pectoral tear in November, and Chicago’s defensive front wasn’t nearly as effective with him out of the lineup.
26. Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike would be an ideal target for Chicago, and not just because of the Detroit ties to Johnson. He’s disruptive against both the run and the pass and will only turn 27 in March.
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29. Lions G Kevin ZeitlerCooper Neill/Getty Images
30. Most of the bigger names and younger free agents will be off the board by the time free agency officially opens on March 12. Chicago’s foray into free agency, however, won’t end there.
31. There are several second-tier free agents who would make a ton of sense for the Lions. Lions guard Kevin Zeitler is one of them.
32. While Zeitler will turn 35 in March, he can still play at a high level when healthy. He might not be a long-term answer to Chicago’s needs on the offensive interior, but he could bolster the unit while helping install Johnson’s blocking schemes.
33. Other offensive players Johnson should consider bringing over from Detroit include versatile backup guard Dan Skipper, running back Josh Reynolds and wide receiver Tim Patrick.
34. Detroit’s passing attack was largely centered around wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, along with tight end Sam LaPorta. However, Patrick (394 yards, 3 TDs) played a valuable role as a third receiver. He could fill a similar role in Chicago alongside D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet.
35. Tennessee Titans receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would also be a strong option for the third receiver role. His deep-threat ability and red-zone prowess (15.5 yards per catch, 9 TDs) would mesh well with Johnson’s passing concepts.
36. Lions cornerback Carlton Davis, Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson, Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn and Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly are other players who should be on Chicago’s radar during the second wave of free agency.
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39. LSU OL Will CampbellRic Tapia/Getty Images
40. Poles and Johnson should have options with the 10th pick in Round 1, and with a pair of second-round selections in tow, they should have the ability to move up or down the board.
41. Chicago’s approach to Round 1 may hinge on what the team does in free agency, but the 10th pick should yield a franchise-caliber centerpiece player. LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell has the potential to be exactly that and was the pick for Chicago in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s latest mock draft.
42. “While Campbell is likely best suited inside at guard as a pro, sticking at tackle isn’t out of the question, especially in Chicago where there is a below-average starter in place of Braxton Jones who will be coming off of a fractured ankle suffered in Week 16,” Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department said.
43. Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter would be a terrific addition to Chicago’s defense if the Bears could land him. The 6’3″, 252-pound prospect has elite NFL upside and could potentially give the Bears their own version of Lions disruptor Aidan Hutchinson.
44. “Carter is an elite athlete, which gives him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher at the next level,” Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. “His get-off is very impressive as he explodes off the line of scrimmage and can win with speed around the edge when times up the snap.”
45. The Bears might not target a running back in the top 10 with both D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson under contract. However, the Lions took Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in 2023, paired him with David Montgomery and got fantastic results in Johnson’s creative rushing scheme.
46. The Bears probably won’t discount the idea of moving back a few spots and targeting Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty or North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton in Round 1.
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49. Iowa RB Kaleb JohnsonRoger Wimmer/ISI Photos/Getty Images
50. The great thing about the NFL draft is that it doesn’t end after one round. While Chicago’s first pick will garner the most attention, Poles and Johnson will have several more opportunities to improve their team over the final two days of draft weekend.
51. Chicago currently holds the 39th and 41st overall picks and will have a chance to add a pair of impact players in Round 2. Top targets who might be available in that range include Georgia interior lineman Tate Ratledge, Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos and Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter.
52. Round 2 is probably a more realistic range for another running back, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson might be the perfect complement to Swift in Johnson’s various run concepts and blocking schemes.
53. “He is more adept and suited for gap/man scheme runs, where he can attack downhill and maneuver through congestion,” Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote of Johnson. “His functionality in the passing game makes him a good screen option to counter heavy-pressure defenses.”
54. If the Bears haven’t identified their third receiver before the draft, potential second-round targets like Texas’ Isaiah Bond, Texas’ Matthew Golden and Utah State’s Jalen Royals will probably be on their radar.
55. “Royals is a position-flexible receiver with long speed and dynamism desired in big-play weapons. Royals projects as a starting Z-receiver who can bump into the slot against favorable matchups,” Parson wrote of Royals.
56. Chicago doesn’t currently hold a fourth-round selection because of last year’s daft-day trade with the Buffalo Bills. The Bears are, however, set to have four Day-3 selections. They should already be doing their homework on potential sleeper prospects like Notre Dame defensive lineman Rylie Mills, Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler, Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins and Alabama offensive tackle Carson Vinson.