The Chicago Bears’ freshly appointed head coach, Ben Johnson, has been honored as the 2024 AP Assistant Coach of the Year following a stellar season with the Detroit Lions. Johnson, who masterminded the Lions’ league-leading offense, orchestrated the NFL’s highest-scoring unit while also ranking second in total yardage.
Before stepping into his new role with the Bears last month, Johnson spent three seasons as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. Despite receiving this prestigious recognition, he did not attend the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night. Johnson secured 29 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn—both of whom were also considered for the Bears’ head-coaching job.
Meanwhile, a moment Bears fans would rather forget was crowned the NFL’s “Moment of the Year”—Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ jaw-dropping 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown, which stunned Chicago as time expired. Daniels, whom the Bears bypassed in favor of drafting Caleb Williams first overall, also took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Other major NFL honors included:
- MVP: Bills quarterback Josh Allen
- Coach of the Year: Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell
- Walter Payton Man of the Year: Jaguars’ Arik Armstead
- Offensive Player of the Year: Eagles running back Saquon Barkley
- Defensive Player of the Year: Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain
- Comeback Player of the Year: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who led the league with 4,918 passing yards after wrist surgery in 2023
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: Rams defensive lineman Jared Verse
Jared Allen Gets Hall of Fame Nod
Former Bears edge rusher Jared Allen has secured his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining three other players in the modern-era class. While Allen played 18 games for Chicago in the twilight of his 12-year career, he’s best remembered for his dominant runs with the Vikings (85.5 sacks) and Chiefs (43 sacks). Reflecting on his brief Bears tenure, Allen admitted it wasn’t what he had envisioned. “I should have taken less money and gone to Seattle,” he joked. However, he did commend the Bears for trading him to his hometown Panthers, where he capped off his career with a Super Bowl appearance.
Joining Allen in the Hall of Fame class are former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, former Eagles, Saints, and Raiders cornerback Eric Allen, and former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Notably, Giants legend Eli Manning was left off the list.
Jaguars Poach Former Bears OC
In coaching news, the Jacksonville Jaguars are set to bring in former Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, likely as their pass-game coordinator. Waldron, who previously worked alongside Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen during their Rams tenure (2018-2020), is expected to bolster Jacksonville’s aerial attack.
