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Since Ben Johnson became the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator in 2022, his play-calling has been impossible to ignore. His unique trickery and creative use of personnel made Johnson stand out in Detroit.
After calling one of the top offenses in football in 2024, Johnson was hired as the Chicago Bears' head coach. In his first year, he returned the Bears to glory in the NFC North.
Chicago won its first NFC North division title since 2018 and is one win away from its first NFC Championship Game in 15 years.
Johnson is looking to become the third head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in his first year as a head coach.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know about Johnson's age and where he ranks among the NFL's youngest head coaches.
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How old is Ben Johnson?
Johnson is 39 years old, tying him with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay as the third-youngest active NFL head coach.
The Bears hired Johnson in January 2025, as he was one of the most sought-after candidates in that cycle.
Johnson's NFL career began at 26, when he served as an offensive assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2012. He remained with the Dolphins organization until 2018, then became the Lions' tight ends coach in 2020.
After only two years, Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator for Detroit. This role is not only what most fans associate with Johnson, but also the one in which he put the league on notice.
His success as the Lions' OC eventually led to him becoming the third-youngest head coach in the NFL.
MORE: Bears offseason timeline, from Ben Johnson hire to Joe Thuney signing
Youngest coaches in NFL
The league is shifting toward a trend in which young, offensive-minded head coaches are highly sought after by organizations. Below are the 10 youngest active NFL head coaches.
| Rank | Head Coach | Age | Team |
| 1 | Kellen Moore | 37 | NO |
| 2 | Mike Macdonald | 38 | SEA |
| T-3 | Ben Johnson | 39 | CHI |
| T-3 | Sean McVay | 39 | LAR |
| T-5 | Liam Coen | 40 | JAX |
| T-5 | Kevin O'Connell | 40 | MIN |
| T-5 | Shane Steichen | 40 | IND |
| 8 | DeMeco Ryans | 41 | HOU |
| 9 | Zac Taylor | 42 | CIN |
| 10 | Nick Sirianni | 44 | PHI |
Youngest coaches to win a Super Bowl
While Johnson could not become the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl or even tie it, he could tie for the third youngest. Here are the top 5 youngest head coaches to win a Super Bowl.
| Rank | Name | Age | Year |
| T-1 | Sean McVay | 36 | Super Bowl 56 (2021) |
| T-1 | Mike Tomlin | 36 | Super Bowl 43 (2008) |
| 3 | Jon Gruden | 39 | Super Bowl 37 (2002) |
| 4 | John Madden | 40 | Super Bowl 11 (1976) |
| 5 | Joe Gibbs | 42 | Super Bowl 17 (1982) |
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