The Chicago Bears have found the coach they believe can help quarterback Caleb Williams and the offence move forward.

The Bears are finalising a deal with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to make him the franchise's next head coach.

Chicago interviewed Johnson virtually this past week prior to the Lions' divisional round game, and were able to work out a deal while talking to him in person on Monday, two days after Detroit's season ended with a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Johnson, 38, spent the last three seasons as the Lions' offensive coordinator, helping Detroit to back-to-back NFC North division titles - including a franchise-record 15 wins in 2024.

Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/3gsGxegg5i

— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025

During Johnson's three years running Detroit's offence, the Lions finished fifth in scoring twice and led the NFL with an average of 33.2 points per game this past season, making him one of the top head coaching candidates on the market.

The Bears were 28th in scoring in 2024 with an average of 18.2 points per game with Williams enduring a bumpy rookie season.

Williams, the top pick of the 2024 draft, threw for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions but was also sacked an NFL-high 68 times.

Williams and the Bears got off to an encouraging 4-2 start to the season, but then lost 10 consecutive games and stumbled to a 5-12 finish.

Chicago fired Matt Eberflus after a stunning 23-20 loss to the Lions in Week 13, when the team badly botched its clock management in the final minute. Interim coach Tomas Brown went 1-4 down the stretch, upsetting the rival Green Bay Packers in the season finale.