Now that Ben Johnson is the Chicago Bears head coach, it is time to come out with the predictions of how this will go. No one really knows, and without the team making any moves under Johnson, everything is speculative. So, this is the perfect time to fire off some bold predictions. What has an outside shot of happening, but certainly could under Ben Johnson?
3. Ryan Poles will be known as the best General Manager in Chicago Bears history
Many will quickly point to Jim Finks, who assembled the majority of the 1985 Bears. Still, his run as GM ended in 1982, so while he put the pieces together, he does not have the historical allure that Mike Ditka or others do. It would be hard to put Johnson above Ditka, but easier to say that Poles could pass up Finks.
Poles drafted Caleb Williams and hired Ben Johnson. Williams has a real chance to change the way that we see the quarterback position in Chicago and if Johnson can get him there, it may be the best pairing the franchise has ever seen. Poles will be praised massively if this hits.
2. D.J. Moore will become a household name and fantasy football superstar
D.J. Moore could easily be the next Amon-Ra St. Brown. He has a similar skill set and has shown that he can dominate when he is given the chance. The talk has been about Moore playing with bad quarterbacks, and now he finally has a good offensive-minded coach as well.
Moore is already well-known in Chicago, but he could become a national name and a first-round pick in fantasy football with the usage that Johnson will give him.
1. The Chicago Bears will make the playoffs in year one of Ben Johnson
You always see one team with a new coach turn the team around immediately. DeMeco Ryans of the Texans and Dan Quinn with the Commander did it in the past two years. This year, it will be Johnson with the Bears. The division is coming off of a high, but some of those teams may come back down to earth a bit. Meanwhile, the Bears have a strong combination of quarterback and play-caller and the defense already had pieces. A quick turnaround is not only possible but expected.