By Sunday 
From dream gig to damage control — is Ben Johnson already set up to fail in Chicago?
It’s always a little weird when someone gets a huge promotion… while the results suggest they probably shouldn’t. Like getting Employee of the Month after accidentally deleting the company website. That’s kind of what just happened in Chicago.
On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that Ryan Poles, the Chicago Bears’ GM, has agreed to a five-year contract extension. That’s right — the guy who brought you back-to-back losing seasons, a revolving door of mid-tier rosters, and arguably some of the least watchable football in the NFC North just got locked in through 2029.
And you know who this isn’t good news for?
Ben Johnson.
From Offensive Genius to Unofficial Firefighter
Let’s rewind: the Bears hired Ben Johnson, the offensive wizard behind Detroit’s rise, to fix things — to unlock Caleb Williams, to finally run an offense that looks like it belongs in the 2020s, and to give Chicago fans something other than déjà vu and disappointment.
But here’s the problem: instead of being handed the keys to a shiny new sports car, Johnson’s been asked to take the wheel of a rusted minivan that’s been driving in circles since 2022.
And now, with Poles still calling the shots, it’s fair to ask: is Ben Johnson really in charge of anything… or just cleaning up someone else’s mess?
Let’s Check the Stats (Brace Yourself)
Since Poles took over, the Bears have gone:
- 3–14
- 7–10
- 5–12
That’s 15 wins in 3 years — or as Bears fans call it, “mid-January vacation planning season.”
Compare that with the drama in New York, where Giants GM Joe Schoen is reportedly on thin ice with a better record than Poles. So naturally, the Bears’ front office thought this was a great time to double down and extend Poles. Sure. Makes total sense.
Same Environment, Same Problems
This is the same front office that stuck with Matt Eberflus way past the expiration date. Now, they’re handing Johnson the clipboard and saying, “Go fix it.” But how can you do that when the same people who couldn’t build a winning team in three years are still in charge of building your roster?
At best, Johnson gets a short honeymoon phase. At worst, he becomes the next fall guy for a franchise that just can’t get out of its own way.
Was Johnson Set Up to Fail?
Maybe. Maybe not. But the optics aren’t great.
Instead of resetting the culture, the Bears just recommitted to it. Instead of giving Johnson fresh support, they gave him the same tangled front office dynamics that have failed multiple coaches before him.
If he wins, he’ll deserve a statue. If he doesn’t, don’t be surprised if the headlines next year read: “Ben Johnson’s Run Cut Short Amid Bears’ Continued Chaos.”
Moral of the story?
Ryan Poles got a gold star.
Ben Johnson got a flaming bag of expectations.