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Ben Johnson's Success: From Bengals' Target to Bears' Star

12/6/2025

35 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

After the 2020 season, Zac Taylor, Bengals head coach, sought Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions for a defensive role.
Taylor believed Johnson's intelligence would help him adapt.
Johnson stayed in Detroit, where he became offensive coordinator in 2023.
The Bears, led by Johnson, hold a 9-3 record, with a win over the Bengals.
Taylor said Johnson would have moved to offense quickly if he had joined the Bengals.

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Story summary

After the 2020 season, Zac Taylor, Bengals head coach, sought Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions for a defensive role.
Taylor believed Johnson's intelligence would help him adapt.
Johnson stayed in Detroit, where he became offensive coordinator in 2023.
The Bears, led by Johnson, hold a 9-3 record, with a win over the Bengals.
Taylor said Johnson would have moved to offense quickly if he had joined the Bengals.