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What comes next for Ben Johnson as head coach works to change Bears culture

3 weeks agoScott Bair

Ben Johnson’s introductory press conference was a big moment for the Bears. Unbridled optimism pervaded inside Halas Hall that Wednesday morning, signaling real hope for better that was also felt by a fan base that has been through a lot in recent seasons.

The most popular coaching candidate chose Chicago. The Bears did what was required to hire him.

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Johnson said all the right things, proving a charismatic sort with intensity and fire held just below the surface. His message was met positively by the media (including this outlet), with belief that the Bears got this hire exactly right.

After going through the main event and a national talk-show car wash on Thursday, the real work begins.

Johnson discussed what comes next in an exclusive interview with Marquee Sports Network. It starts with a search for assistants.

“The No. 1 thing is going to be building the staff,” Johnson said. “I got to get on that as soon as soon as (Wednesday) afternoon, potentially sending out request slips and seeing who all we can bring into the building. And then, honestly, I’ve got to reach out to some of these players. I had the pleasure of meeting (Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet) — they were all here for the press conference, but there’s a number of guys on the defensive side of the ball that I’d like to talk to as well. So honestly, right now, those are the first things that come to mind and then we’ll get it squared away after that.”

Johnson has already made moves to assemble his staff. Antwaan Randle-El is closing on a deal to be the Bears assistant head coach. They’ve got defensive backs coach Al Harris and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett already in the fray. He has interview requests out to start filling the coordinator spots.

There were surely back channel conversations with guys he wanted on staff, and now it’s about executing a plan and the resources made available to land the coaches Johnson wants to add.

There were a few players in attendance on Wednesday, most of them were home enjoying a rare dark period on the NFL calendar for teams that didn’t make the playoffs.

Johnson wants to connect up with most of his players and introduce himself, considering the players won’t be back in the building until the offseason program begins in April.

Once the coordinators arrive, Johnson can start fleshing out schemes in all three phases that are tailored to the talent currently available and skill sets that will be acquired this offseason.

“He’s smart, he’s hardworking, he’s innovative, he’s curious, he’s demanding and then now we need to surround a great staff with him,” team president Kevin Warren said. “We need to make sure our players are surrounded with accountability but given the resources they need to win and then the thing that I really like that I see developing is that relationship between (GM Ryan Poles) and Ben because that is where it’s won.”

The process of adding a staff, connecting with players and developing systems that will be the groundwork laid before the players get back. That’s when the culture will be built, something Johnson stated directly to his players in the opening statement of his press conference.

“When you walk in, it’ll be crystal clear the communication, the structure and the consistency and that will never waver,” Johnson said. “Our mission, our mission, starting this spring, is to win and to win now. I get goosebumps right now just thinking about being the head coach of the Chicago Bears. I know exactly what this role and this responsibility requires, and I cannot wait to get to work.”

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