The Ben Johnson Effect Is Reportedly Bigger Than Bears Are Letting On

Conventional wisdom says it takes at least two years to notice whether a team has secured a good head coach or not. That is determined by how the team performs on the field. However, people inside the NFL have said for many years that you can often determine who the good ones are right away. They have an air about them. The common saying is that they fill up a room when they step into it. They command attention when they speak. Who was the last Chicago Bears head coach to have such an aura? Many inside Halas Hall believe it's been a long, long time. That has changed with Ben Johnson in the building.

Team insider Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog revealed an update. It appears the new head coach is generating far more excitement than the team has suggested. One longtime member claims they've never seen anything like him.

This would suggest that Johnson's effect on the organization is having influences that rival or exceed names like Lovie Smith or even Mike Ditka. It is way too soon to declare Johnson in their league yet. He has plenty to prove. Still, no coach has generated this kind of buzz in ages.

Ben Johnson already has the reputation.

He proved in Detroit that he is one of the best play callers in the NFL. This isn't a Matt Nagy situation where he was completely unproven on that front or Marc Trestman, who hadn't been in the league for a decade. Johnson orchestrated a top-five offense for three consecutive seasons, guiding the Lions to two playoff berths. He did it without a superstar quarterback, making the most of the good-not-great Jared Goff. Nobody questions his knowledge of the game. It was always about whether had the qualities of a leader.

Based on how he carries himself and how he interacts with people, Ben Johnson isn't anything but the introverted nerd many pegged him to be. He's outspoken, self-confident, and even a little brash. Players love that kind of stuff from their head coach. Throw in the obvious intelligence and you have the makings of somebody special. It is exciting to hear so much excitement coming from a building that seemed totally deflated by the end of last season.