The Chicago Bears let Ben Johnson know exactly how much they value him, having decided to hire the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator as their next head coach.
Johnson was one of the more sought-after coaching candidates this year and, to the absolute delight of everyone associated with the Bears, has chosen to accept their offer.
The team knew they had to offer him a better salary than the other franchises vying for his services. And, per reports, they’ve handed him a sum that will see him make more money than the best free agent signing of 2024, Saquon Barkley.
According to ProFootballTalk, Johnson is rumored to be on a $13 million-a-year contract, which marks an unprecedented sum for a first-time head coach.
Barkley is on a three-year deal worth $37 million with the Philadelphia Eagles and is widely considered to be the best player in the NFL at the moment.
Fans reacted to the news of Johnson’s new salary as expected.
“I assure you that $13 mil number makes Jerry Jones sick at his stomach. He thought paying Wade Phillips $3 mil per year was a lot. And Wade had been a head coach,” one wrote.
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“To my surprise, the Bears seem to have realized that they absolutely couldn’t screw this up,” said a second.
“If accurate, $13M per year would make Ben Johnson the 7th highest paid NFL Coach,” a third noted.
“If true we gotta give Warren/Poles AND George and Virginia credit this time… they put their money where their mouth is in terms of both changing how they do things and closing the deal,” a comment read.
Does Ben Johnson Deserve $13 Million A Year?
Of course, only time will tell whether the number is merited. However, Johnson’s CV certainly suggests that he should be one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
He turned the Lions offense into the best and most creative unit in the league over the past three seasons and is now set to coach a very promising quarterback in Caleb Wiliams, who is likely hyped over the news.
Williams previously admitted that Johnson was his preferred candidate for the job and will get to work under him in his second year.
It could be a match made in heaven.
