Since the hiring of Ben Johnson as Chicago Bears head coach, this fan base hasn't been able to get enough. The Johnson content is never enough for fans who have been craving a head coach like him, and for a very long time.
But, one of the biggest reasons why fans haven't been able to get enough? It came early on in Johnson's opening press conference.
It was a not-so-subtle jab at Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. When Johnson acknowledged he enjoyed beating LaFleur during his time as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Bears fans couldn't help themselves. They were all-in.
How could they not be? Johnson said exactly what they wanted to hear, but he has backed it up with actions. It isn't just about the idea of beating the Packers. It's about beating the Packers. And, he's done it.
Johnson hasn't even coached a game for the Bears and he already has a leg up on LaFleur, but the advantages just keep on coming. Courtesy of Draft Kings, the most recent NFL Coach of the Year odds are already favoring Johnson a great deal ahead of LaFleur for this coming campaign.
Ben Johnson already has better odds to win NFL Coach of the Year than Matt LaFleur
As it stands, Johnson's odds of winning the award are tied for the league's best at +750. By comparison, LaFleur's current odds stand at +2500.
While LaFleur has enjoyed winning seasons in Green Bay, he has yet to win the NFL's Coach of the Year. And, in just his first season as Bears head coach, Johnson is the betting favorite. To see Johnson win the award in his first season as head coach, while LaFleur has never brought home the hardware, would be just another feather in his cap.
To be fair, Matt Nagy won the award in his first season. We won't talk about that, though. It doesn't fit the narrative.
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Back to this year's current odds. While Johnson leads the pack, he is also tied with New England Patriots first-year head coach Mike Vrabel with the same odds. It's pretty remarkable that these two are in their first years with their respective teams and are already garnering so much hype.
If anything, it proves just how close the Bears are to being a competitive football team. This is, after all, what fans felt going into last year. This roster is just a couple of pieces away.
Now, it is a matter of general manager Ryan Poles going out and making the moves necessary.