“Gut feeling” pointed Ben Johnson to the Bears

During the five-hour drive from PFT headquarters to the City of Brotherly Love, I worked the phone for the latest information regarding the ongoing coaching carousel.

From the perspective of future new Bears coach Ben Johnson (details are currently being finalized, we’re told), the process was completing “phase one.” After Saturday’s surprise loss to the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs, Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, prepared information on three interested teams to present to Johnson after his duties with the Lions are completed on Sunday.

When news broke Sunday that the Raiders were interviewing GMs and former Lions exec Lance Newmark (the man many have pegged as Johnson’s top GM pick), a source with knowledge of the situation downplayed the situation, saying “a lot of moving parts.”

Those parts were moving fast. At the end of the day, we’re told, it was an “Eastern feeling” for Johnson. On the surface, it’s a head-scratcher. But the reality is that all the feelings come out when the options are known and relevant factors (such as money, and the over/under is $14.5 million per year, the quarterback situation and the overall quality of the roster) are evaluated.

It’s like sitting in a restaurant and looking at the menu. You look at the options, consider them, and choose one.

Johnson won’t get his GM. They also won’t get any control over the staff. (“It’s really their show,” a source told the Bears.)

So how does Johnson get the front office “alignment” he’s been craving? The offer, which breaks the curve for first-time trainers, sends a strong message — especially since there will be a significant buyout if it fails.

Again, the over/under is $14.5 million per year. Don’t be surprised if it’s over.