Ben Johnson’s journey to the Chicago Bears head coaching job is rooted in more than just football, it’s a story of deep ties to the city’s sports culture. Though he didn’t grow up in Illinois, Johnson and his family were die-hard Cubs fans, thanks to WGN-TV broadcasting games to the Carolinas. He and his siblings idolized stars like Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, and Ryne Sandberg, forging a long-distance loyalty that never faded.
That fandom became a family tradition. When Johnson’s brother graduated high school, he put his name on the Wrigley Field season ticket waiting list even though he didn’t live in Chicago. A decade later, when his name was finally called in 2015, the Johnsons began an annual pilgrimage to the city. Each summer, Ben Johnson joined his family for a Cubs series, sometimes staying downtown, other times in a hotel near the iconic ballpark.
“We always made a point as a family to come back for a series,” Johnson said. “It’s certainly a sports town.”
Now, Johnson is more than just a visitor. As the new head coach of the Bears, he inherits one of the NFL’s most passionate fanbases and one of its most starved. The team hasn’t had a consistent winner in years, and Chicago is hungry for success. Johnson’s background as a highly respected offensive coordinator offers hope, but in a town where sports loyalty runs deep, hope isn’t enough. Winning is the currency that counts.
If Johnson can turn around the Bears and bring them back to playoff relevance, his deep connection to Chicago and his appreciation for its sports culture could make him the most beloved Bears coach in a generation. But like everything in this city, it starts with victories.
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