Adam Schefter hints top head coach candidate is interested in Bears job

The day after Thanksgiving, the Chicago Bears finally made the decision many fans had long-expected in firing head coach Matt Eberflus.

In his place, on an interim basis with a chance to prove himself, is Thomas Brown. Now, although Brown will have a shot at earning the permanent head coaching gig, the Bears are also going to conduct a search.

From now until there is a decision made on just who will take Eberflus' permanent role, we're going to see and hear plenty of different rumors and reports as to which candidates might be among the possibilities.

Already, there is someone like Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman who could be in consideration for the job. But, he's going to be one of many.

On Sunday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter touched on the Bears' current head coach opening and mentioned one particular name whom fans have long wanted to see take over the role.

"Everybody's going to have their eye on Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator. And I think he might have some interest in that job. We'll see if they can convince him to come to Chicago," Schefter said.

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The good news? Johnson is likely interested -- and he should be.

But, let's not act like this is a slam dunk. It's far from that.

The Bears would, indeed, have to do some convincing for Ben Johnson to take over as head coach

The words Schefter used are important. Stating that we're going to have to see if "they can convince" Johnson to "come to Chicago" is a loaded statement.

Sure, on one hand, Johnson would get to work with no. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and an offensive room that features some strong weaponry. But, the big hangup might just be the difference in how the two organizations are run.

Johnson is coming from a Lions organization that's been at the top of the league in terms of how things are currently running, from the top-down. Chicago, meanwhile, would give Johnson some pause. The way the Bears have handled things in recent years and, specifically under George McCaskey, is more than enough reason for Johnson to think long and hard about this opportunity.

Just as recently as watching the Bears allow Eberflus to meet the media only to fire him two hours later ... that's not exactly screaming of front office competence.

Furthermore, Johnson has obviously seen the way Chicago has handled their coaches and rookie quarterbacks over the past seven or eight years. It hasn't quite gone the way most organizations would have handled things. In fact, most fans know by now that the Bears have done things backwards more often than not.

Will Johnson be able to look past the organizational dysfunction in hopes that working with Williams makes it all worth it?