Ben Johnson was one of the hottest head coaching prospects before the offseason began. His work with the Detroit Lions had won him several suitors. As an offensive coordinator, Johnson took the Lions to new heights and was famous for his trick plays.
Johnson’s trick plays were also one reason he was called a “mad scientist.” However, he doesn’t like that narrative and is eager to change it next season with the Chicago Bears.
Ben Johnson Wants to Change His “Mad Scientist” Misconception Next Season With Bears
In an interview with CBS Sports, Johnson made it clear that he didn’t like being called the “mad scientist.” He added that he was no longer just an offensive coordinator but a coach who needed to take care of the defense and special teams.
“We’re gonna flip that narrative because I don’t necessarily love it. My job over the last few years was to be the best offensive coordinator that I can possibly be. That’s changed now that I am the head coach, and that’s gonna be the whole vision of the entire unit, the entire team.”
“I like to think of myself not as a mad scientist but as a darn good football coach. So that’s what I’m going to be going forward, and I look forward to the challenge, which is defensive, special teams, and offense all coming together and playing complementary football.”
Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been labeled as a "mad scientist" the last few years. With that moniker comes a bit of a narrative. He's ready to destroy that narrative. pic.twitter.com/wlv51ZBJys
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 26, 2025
When asked if his trick plays would be seen with the Bears, he replied, “We’re going to do whatever we are capable of doing.”
Johnson revolutionized the Lions’ offense for four seasons and made it the best offense in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric. And for those who have high hopes for Caleb Williams as the franchise quarterback in Chicago, Johnson paved the way for Jared Goff to finish as the league’s second-best quarterback, according to PFSN’s QB+ metric.
Johnson could take the Bears’ offense to new heights and improve Williams from the No. 33 overall quarterback ranking he garnered last season. After all, Goff was sitting at No. 26 before Johnson took over play-calling duties in Detroit.
The 38-year-old also helped turn the No. 112 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Amon-Ra St. Brown, into one of the most consistent receivers in the league. The former USC receiver tallied 912 yards in his rookie season and has since crossed the 1,000-yard mark for three straight seasons, including a 1,515-yard season in 2023.
Johnson’s incredible combination of innovative passing sets and trick plays, combined with a bevy of rushing calls, made Detroit’s offense completely unpredictable. With Williams, he has a chance to replicate some of that success in Chicago and of course, change his “mad scientist” narrative as well.