By Blessing 
Could Ben Johnson Reunite With a Familiar Face in Chicago?
As the Chicago Bears look to reshape their identity under new head coach Ben Johnson, one name from the Detroit Lions’ past is being floated as a potential fit in the Windy City: linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Ben Johnson, known for his creativity and offensive flair during his time with the Lions, is now tasked with helping quarterback Caleb Williams lead a Bears comeback in 2025. Williams had a rocky rookie season, so the franchise is banking on Johnson’s offensive mind to unlock his potential. But while the spotlight is on the offense, Johnson is also being urged to make a few roster moves—possibly by bringing in players he already knows well.
A Familiar Face Could Help Build Johnson’s Culture
While the NFL offseason is currently in a bit of a lull, there’s still plenty of time for teams to tweak their rosters before training camp. In a June 26 feature for ESPN, analyst Aaron Schatz suggested one key move each team could make before the season kicks off.
For the Bears, Schatz recommended they sign Reeves-Maybin, a former Lions linebacker who played under Johnson. Though Johnson was on the offensive side of the ball, he was part of the same Lions culture Reeves-Maybin thrived in.
According to Schatz, “Linebacker depth is a bit of a problem for the Bears.” He pointed out that while the Bears are solid with starters like T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, Reeves-Maybin “would be a good depth addition.”
Schatz also highlighted his special teams value, adding that Reeves-Maybin “would be a big help on special teams, having made the Pro Bowl for special teams just two seasons ago. The Bears’ special teams were strong in 2024, but another good gunner never hurts.”
For a team hoping to change its trajectory, bringing in a veteran who understands a winning culture and contributes across multiple areas could make sense.
Not Everyone Is Sold on the Move
Despite the potential fit, not all analysts are convinced that Reeves-Maybin would be the right addition for Chicago. In a counterpoint article published the same day by Kole Noble of A to Z Sports, Noble expressed skepticism about the proposed signing.
“The more I consider this, the more this doesn’t really make sense for the Bears outside of helping push some other players on the roster,” Noble wrote. While he acknowledged Reeves-Maybin’s speed and coverage skills, he pointed out that the Bears already addressed those traits in the draft.
“Reeves-Maybin brings a lot of speed and coverage to the table, which is the same style traits the team added in the fourth-round by drafting Ruben Hyppolite II back in April,” Noble explained.
Another concern is Reeves-Maybin’s size and positional fit. “He also doesn’t quite have the size to slide into the open strong side LB position,” Noble noted.
Given that Chicago’s linebacker room is already fairly deep, Noble doesn’t see a clear path for Reeves-Maybin to crack the rotation—unless the team parts ways with someone already on the roster.
A Decision That Could Go Either Way
While Reeves-Maybin might not be a flashy addition, the idea of bringing him in has some logic behind it—especially with Johnson wanting to install a culture he’s familiar with. Reeves-Maybin’s leadership, versatility, and Pro Bowl-caliber special teams ability could be a nice boost for the Bears’ depth.
At the same time, the roster situation and recent draft picks make the move far from a guaranteed win. Johnson and the Bears’ front office will have to weigh familiarity against practicality as they finalize their lineup for the 2025 season.
For now, it’s just a recommendation—but if Johnson wants another familiar face to help build something in Chicago, Reeves-Maybin may still get the call.