Ben Johnson's contract already a blueprint for first-time NFL head coaches

For all the jokes that were made at the Chicago Bears' expense regarding their process to find a new head coach, the result was the process being successful as the team hired the top coaching candidate available on the first day the rules established by the NFL allowed them to do so.

As Ben Johnson settled into his role as the head coach of the Bears, the dysfunction that some described the team's process was playing out in real form for the Jacksonville Jaguars. There was a moment in time when it seemed inevitable that Johnson would select the Jaguars instead of the Bears but Jacksonville's decision to bring back general manager Trent Baalke in the immediate aftermath of the season led to Johnson having second thoughts.

Fortunately for the Bears, Johnson didn't think twice.

As Johnson was being introduced by the Bears, the Jaguars initially appeared to be making progress with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen. After his first interview with the Jaguars, Coen seemingly took himself out of consideration, with the indication being that he was going to sign a lucrative new contract with the Buccaneers. Before Coen decided to sign that contract, the Jaguars proceeded to do what they should've done immediately after the season and fired Baalke. Now, Coen has agreed to terms with the Jaguars and will indeed be their new head coach.

Thankfully, the Jaguars did not act with the same sense of urgency when they pursued Johnson. Having said that, Johnson's contract with the Bears is believed to have played a part in the Jaguars convincing Coen to take the job.

The exact number Johnson is making with the Bears has yet to be officially announced but the belief is it is around $13MM per season. It's a contract that the Bears have shied away from in the past and apparently, will now be the blueprint for ascending offensive coordinators looking for head coaching roles.