Monday, everything changed for the Chicago Bears.
The team's long and extensive head coaching search ended with a no-brainer. Chicago officially agreed with Ben Johnson to become their next head coach.
The former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator brings a whole lot of momentum with him to Chicago after finishing the regular season with the league's top scoring offense and he is going to be a great hire for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Johnson was arguably the top candidate available this head coaching cycle, and somehow, the Bears bucked the trend and made it happen. For a fan base that is used to the organization doing things backwards, making moves they shouldn't and failing to go with logical outcomes, this was a welcomed move.
And, the fun is only getting started. Now, Johnson has begun building his staff, starting with former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen joining him to be the defensive coordinator.
There are other big names now being rumored to be on their way to join Johnson in Chicago, starting with a big one from his staff in Detroit.
Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley is rumored to follow Ben Johnson to the Bears
Just hours after the Johnson hiring went down, FOX32 reported the possibility of Johnson bringing one specific coach with him from Detroit: offensive line coach Hank Fraley:
"There's been a lot of conversation over the last 48 hours that there have been a lot of closed-door meetings and a lot of working behind the scenes ... Hank Fraley is a name that comes up quite often as someone who may go to Chicago with Ben, potentially as his offensive coordinator."
More Bears news:
Fraley is one of the best in the business and a large reason why the Lions have not only drafted well up front, but developed that talent well. Center Frank Ragnow has spoken so highly of Fraley that he even (jokingly?) said he isn't going to play without him, noting the Lions can't let him leave.
"I haven't played in this league without Hank and I don't plan on doing it," Ragnow said.
If Fraley came to the Bears as their offensive coordinator and was able to also help out coach the offensive line that will certainly look different in the coming months, that would be a monumental hire for the Bears and another name added to what could be a star-studded staff.