Bears reportedly finalizing deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson has been on the list of just about every NFL team that had a head-coaching vacancy recently. Finally, Johnson is making his move.

The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Johnson as their next head coach, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Per the report, Johnson is targeting former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as his defensive coordinator.

Johnson, who is 38 years old, quickly made a name for himself as he worked up the NFL coaching ladder. He spent seven seasons on the Miami Dolphins’ staff (Dan Campbell was part of that staff when Johnson was there) and then moved to the Lions. In Detroit he worked up from offensive quality control coach to tight ends coach to passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator over the course of five seasons. Then in his three seasons as Lions offensive coordinator he became the hottest name among NFL assistants as a future head coach.

Last offseason Johnson was getting interviews but decided to stay with the Lions for at least another season, running their offense. Detroit scored 564 points this season, which led the NFL, and the Lions got the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Johnson was a popular name again in the head-coaching interview cycle.

Teams were looking for a Sean McVay-type of hire when they were courting Johnson, hoping to get a young offensive guru who hadn’t yet had a chance to be a head coach. His work with the Lions, getting fantastic production out of Jared Goff with a balanced offense that was dominant in the passing and running game, was impressive.

Whether Johnson can make a successful transition to being a head coach is unknown, of course. But Johnson will get his shot to make an even bigger name for himself.