Bears’ Ben Johnson faces a task likened to iconic Chicago TV chef, ‘he has to make it all work’

Ben Johnson’s task at the Bears compared to Chicago TV chef Carmy on ‘The Bear’

The Scoop podcast with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and James Palmer had a fun segment comparing new head coaches to TV shows, and for Johnson, the TV show ‘The Bear’ was the simplest choice.

Palmer went on to compare Johnson’s mammoth task at the Bears with the fictional chef played by Jeremy Allen White, named Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto.

He said: “Ben Johnson’s Carmy. He’s the one who’s come in. He’s the one who’s a classically, professionally overseas French chef that comes in and is going to take all of these people that actually individually, you might think are a little bit, I don’t know…

“But put them together and get the whole thing rolling. You just need somebody to put it all together and take all these ingredients and make it work at a really high level, like The Bear.

“And if they can make that restaurant work… I like it.” Palmer then asked: “Do you think Ben is able to do that in year one?

“Because restaurants, guess what? They don’t get as long a shelf life.” Russini had faith in Johnson to get the job done.

Fans excited as Ben Johnson starts off with ‘best roster the Bears have had in years’

Despite Bears GM Ryan Poles’ questionable mid-round drafting ability, he has assembled a roster that has put the new head coach on the front foot immediately.

Their early-round draft picks were particularly good, selecting one of the highest-rated tight ends in quite a while, Colston Loveland, in the first round.

The Bears’ three second-round picks were all exciting prospects, too, adding receiver Luther Burden III, OT Ozzy Trapilo, and DT Shemar Turner.

The Dennis Allen-led defense has Bears fans particularly excited, and the offensive scheme lies in the hands of someone who has an excellent track record from Detroit.

The primary concern is whether Caleb Williams can be Johnson’s franchise quarterback this year and going forward.