Ben Johnson is the current head coach of the NFL’s Chicago Bears. The 39-year-old was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 11, 1986. He has been married to Jessica (née Fleming) since 2014. The couple met in high school in Asheville, North Carolina, and have three children together: Emory, Kennedy, and Halle.
Johnson began his career as a walk-on quarterback for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated with a degree in business. He switched to coaching in 2009.
Ben Johnson’s Salary
Johnson earns $13 million per year coaching the Chicago Bears under his five-year, $65 million contract signed in January 2025. This makes him the ninth-highest-paid head coach in the NFL, ahead of the likes of Nick Sirianni and Sean McDermott.
What is Ben Johnson’s Net Worth in 2026?
According to multiple reports, Johnson has an estimated net worth of $4-6 million. A major part of his total earnings comes from his coaching contracts with the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.
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Ben Johnson’s Contract
Johnson signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Chicago Bears on January 21, 2025, translating to an annual salary of $13 million.
Ben Johnson’s Coaching Career
Boston College (2009-2010)
Johnson began his coaching career at Boston College as a graduate assistant in 2009. He assisted with offensive concepts and helped develop player scouting reports and film breakdown.
Miami Dolphins (2012-2018)
Johnson began his NFL coaching career in 2012 with the Miami Dolphins as an offensive assistant coach under head coach Joe Philbin. He worked closely with rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who set numerous franchise records for a rookie. Johnson was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2013.
During his time in Miami, Johnson took up multiple roles: tight ends coach (2015), assistant wide receivers coach (2016-2017), and wide receivers coach (2018).
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Detroit Lions (2019-2024)
Johnson joined the Detroit Lions in 2019 as a tight ends coach, working closely with developing Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. In 2020-2021, he continued coaching tight ends under head coach Matt Patricia and then Dan Campbell. In 2022, Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator.
The Lions’ offense averaged at least 26 points per game in each of its three seasons as coordinator, a feat the Bears had achieved only four times in the entire Super Bowl era (1985, 2006, 2013, 2018). In 2024, Johnson was named the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for his work as offensive coordinator.
Chicago Bears (2025-Present)
On January 21, 2025, Johnson was announced as the Chicago Bears‘ 18th full-time head coach, signing his historic five-year, $65 million contract. He took over a franchise that had finished 5-12 in 2024 and hadn’t made the playoffs since 2020.
In his inaugural season (2025), Johnson’s Bears improved to 11-6, clinching their first NFC North division title since 2018. Chicago recorded its first playoff victory in 15 seasons, defeating the Green Bay Packers 24-15 in the Wild Card Round on January 10, 2026. The Bears fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Super Bowls did Ben Johnson win?
Ben Johnson has not won a Super Bowl as a head coach or coordinator.
What is the average salary of an NFL coach?
The average salary of an NFL head coach is around $6.6 million annually. Top earners include the Chiefs HC Andy Reid, the Broncos HC Sean Payton, and the Giants HC John Harbaugh, each earning approximately $18-20 million per year. Ben Johnson currently ranks 9th among head coaches in salary at $13 million annually.
Is Ben Johnson married?
Ben Johnson is married to Jessica (née Fleming), his high school sweetheart from Asheville, North Carolina. The couple met in high school and maintained their relationship through college, eventually marrying in 2014. They have three children together: Emory, Kennedy, and Halle.
How much do NFL assistant coaches make?
NFL assistant coaches make around $5.5 million every year on average. However, offensive coordinators typically earn more, ranging from $1.5 to $ 3 million annually, depending on experience and track record. Elite coordinators like Ben Johnson earned approximately $2 million annually before his promotion to head coach.
Does Ben Johnson have a degree?
Ben Johnson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a walk-on quarterback for the Tar Heels. He graduated in the mid-2000s with a degree in business administration.
