Kirk Cousins Praises Bears HC Ben Johnson as 'Real Deal'

4-time Pro Bowl QB says Johnson was highly regarded as Detroit's tight ends coach.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who grew up as a Chicago Bears fan, had high praise for Bears head coach Ben Johnson. Cousins said he heard from players in Detroit, where Johnson was the tight ends coach, that he was the "real deal" and would be a great future head coach. Cousins believes Johnson's success in his first season as Bears head coach, leading them to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth, has validated those early assessments.

Why it matters

Johnson's rapid rise to becoming a successful NFL head coach in his first season is an impressive feat, especially for a team that had struggled in recent years. Cousins' glowing review of Johnson further cements his reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

The details

Cousins said he heard from players he had played with in Detroit that Johnson, who was the tight ends coach there, was "the real deal" and would be a great head coach someday. Once Johnson became the Bears' offensive coordinator, those same players texted Cousins saying Johnson had the same kind of offensive mind as Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. In Johnson's first season as Bears head coach in 2025-26, the team went 11-6 and reached the NFC Divisional Round, their first playoff appearance since 2020.

  • In 2025-26, the Bears finished 11-6 and reached the NFC Divisional Round.
  • Johnson was the tight ends coach in Detroit prior to becoming the Bears' head coach.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A 4-time Pro Bowl quarterback who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons and grew up as a Chicago Bears fan.

Ben Johnson

The current head coach of the Chicago Bears, who had success in his first season leading the team to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth.

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What they’re saying

“I remember he was the tight end coach in Detroit, and I was getting whispers from guys who I had played with who were in Detroit. They were texting me like, 'This tight end coach is the real deal. He's gonna be a dude someday.'”

— Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons Quarterback (Hoge & Jahns)

The takeaway

Ben Johnson's rapid rise to becoming a successful NFL head coach in his first season with the Bears has validated the early assessments of him as a rising star in the coaching ranks. Kirk Cousins' glowing review of Johnson further cements his reputation as an offensive mastermind on par with coaches like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan.