Bears: Dennis Allen compares Ben Johnson to Super Bowl-winning NFL head coach

Ben Johnson turned a lot of heads during his first season as the Chicago Bears’ head coach. He guided the team to an NFC North title and reached the Divisional Round. The 40-year-old continues to receive praise from it, including from defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

Chicago hired Johnson in January 2025 after he spent the last six years with the Detroit Lions. He joined the franchise in 2019 as its offensive quality control coach. Johnson then held the roles of tight ends coach, passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator. He emerged as one of the best candidates in the coaching cycle given his experience and previous success.

Johnson and Allen will look to surpass the Bears’ achievements last year. While they won’t find it easy to navigate the road ahead, they are up to the challenge and have a successful 2025 season under their belts.

Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears — Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson speaks during Minicamp at Halas Hall.

Dennis Allen sees similarities between Bears HC Ben Johnson and Sean Payton

Allen opened up on the similarities he has seen between Johnson and 2010 Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton. He shared that their mindsets are alike in how they approach practices.

“I think I see a lot of the same qualities in terms of how the attacking mindset and not just how we practice offensively, but how we practice in general,” Allen said. “The physicality and the effort level that’s required is very similar to what we did in those years under Sean in New Orleans. So there’s a lot of similarities as to how they coach and philosophically how they see the game.”

“I see a lot of the same qualities…there’s a lot of similarities in how they coach and philosophically how they see the game.”

Dennis Allen on Ben Johnson & Sean Payton: pic.twitter.com/GWowXRVlr3

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 9, 2026

Allen served as an assistant defensive line coach and secondary coach under Payton with the New Orleans Saints. They won a Super Bowl together and built a strong bond on and off the field.

Johnson is still in the early years of his head coaching career but has already shown a lot of promise. Another strong campaign would strengthen his case further as the best young head coach in the league.