Late in the 2024 season, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson contacted former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen to ask if the seasoned coach would be open to working with a new NFL head coach.
During his initial press conference, Allen stated, “At some point as we got later in the season he reached out to me just to see if I would be interested,” according to Sports Daily. “I told him that I would be interested.”
Even though Johnson was still getting ready for a Super Bowl run with his current team, Lions supporters were incensed that he had begun possible early leg work on a future possibility.
Allen remarked, “Even though I didn’t really know Ben, I just felt like I had connections to him.” “I think we both felt like this was a really good fit—him leaning on those guys in reference to me, and me leaning on those guys in reference to him.”
Allen stated that he wants the Bears defense to play a tough style of football every week and to be aggressive.
Instead of letting the offense set the pace for us, we want to take the fight to the opposition. Allen declared, “We’re going to be aggressive.” “Everything will be contested. The game will be played correctly by us. Additionally, we will play a hard, rugged style of football.