Bears’ Ryan Poles reportedly could get fired because of Lions coach

The Bears next head coaching scenario is becoming interesting each passing day with Ben Johnson favorite to take over in 2025 but he wants general manager Ryan Poles gone.

Bears’ Ryan Poles reportedly could get fired because of Lions coach

(L) Ryan Pols and (R) Ben Johnson (Image via ESPN)

If Ben Johnson didn’t have unfinished business with the Detroit Lions, then he would have taken over as the head coach of an NFL team in 2024. Under Johnson’s offensive play calling, the Lions are 14-2 going into the final game of the season with the NFC top seed on the line.

After the current season concludes, he will be a hot commodity once more for a head coaching job and as per sources, his potential destination is the Chicago Bears. However, there’s a slight issue that has to be resolved before he leaves Michigan for the windy city.

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According to Draft analyst Charlie Campbell and Bears beat writer Erik Lambert, Ben Johnson is intrigued by the Chicago Bears head coaching job with the chance to work with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams (by the time he takes over Williams will enter his second year). Before that, Johnson’s camp reportedly demanded the 38-year-old would be ready to take the Bears job if general manager Ryan Poles is replaced with Washington Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark.

Johnson and Newmark worked together in Detroit before the latter left for Washington. On the other hand, Poles reportedly wants Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the Bears’ next head coach over Johnson.

Ben Johnson isn’t the only target for the Chicago Bears

The Bears got rid of head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron midway through the season. Thomas Brown who was appointed the OC after Waldron’s departure took over as the interim head coach, but the Bears find themselves with a 4-12 record with one game left until the conclusion of another disappointing losing season (fourth year in a row).

Bears' Ryan Poles reportedly could get fired because of Lions coach
Ben Johnson with Lions head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Nate Sudfield (Image via ESPN)

There’s a lot to like in Chicago with Caleb Williams and tons of cap space—extra draft resources. Team president Kevin Warren has a lot of connections around the league from his several decades in pro and college football. That’s allowed them to get a jump start on the search process, gathering background as part of what is expected to be a thorough search led by Warren and GM Ryan Poles.

Tom Pelissero said via NFL GameDay Morning

Johnson won’t be the only one the Bears have on their list of names for the head coaching gig. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Bills OC Joe Brady, ex-Titans coach Mike Vrabel, and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury are among the names that Warren has proposed as alternatives. They need to move quickly because the New York Jets interviewed Vrabel for their vacant head coach position and they also have eyes on Glenn who spent eight years with the Gang Green (1994-2001).

Related: NFL analyst makes case for Mike McCarthy as a “great fit” for NFC minnows amid exit rumors from Cowboys