Ben Johnson's Surprising Move

In a surprising career move, Ben Johnson has opted to become the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, a decision that raised eyebrows across the NFL.

Why the Bears?

Why did he choose the Bears, you ask? Well, for starters, he cites a promising quarterback situation and a strong familiarity with the NFC North division, where he spent six productive seasons as an assistant coach under Dan Campbell, the current head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Making Waves in the NFC North

Johnson is already making waves with his candid remarks about the competition in the division. "I know this is the toughest division in football right now," he declared, in an interview highlighting the division's recent success. "There are three teams that made the playoffs this year. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and players in this league, having competed against them for the last six years."

Johnson vs. LaFleur

He continued with a revealing insight, as he placed special emphasis on his experiences against Matt LaFleur. "And to be quite frank with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year," Johnson remarked, a statement sure to light a fire in the rivalry.

The Competitive NFC North

Indeed, the NFC North has become a competitive battleground, with coaches like Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell (the Minnesota Vikings coach) being in contention for the coveted Coach of the Year award. While LaFleur has impressively guided the Packers to four double-digit win seasons in his six years, Johnson's rivalry with him highlights the animosity that can brew within divisional clashes.

Rivalry Statistics

Interestingly, despite the Lions’ success in defeating Green Bay in two out of three seasons during Johnson's time in Detroit, the overall record stood at 6-6. However, LaFleur has dominated the Bears with an impressive 11-1 record against them since taking over as Green Bay’s head coach.

Facing Challenges Ahead

As Johnson steps into a challenge-laden environment with the Bears, he knows he has his work cut out for him. This past NFL season saw three NFC North teams entering the playoffs, yet all faced disappointment, finishing 0-3 when it mattered most. It was only the second time since 1970 that a division sent three teams to the playoffs but came up empty-handed.

Eager Fans and Future Matchups

Fans are eager to see how Johnson's tenure with the Bears unfolds, and whether he can turn up the heat on LaFleur in what is shaping up to be an electrifying rivalry! Stay tuned, as the next season promises to be filled with intense matchups and fierce competition in the NFC North!