The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus following their Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. They could replace him with a division rival.

While listing 15 candidates to replace him, The Athletics Adam Jahns named Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a candidate to replace him.

No candidate should have more leverage on the market than Johnson, who is the architect and play caller of Detroits high-powered offense, wrote Jahns. It should be apparent to all interested teams that Johnson will be picky, too. Johnson, 38, removed himself from consideration for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders head coach openings last year.

Johnson has been key in the Lions turnaround and in making them one of the most electric offenses in football. Hiring him would be a great asset in developing Caleb Williams. Johnsons return to the Lions last offseason could end up being huge if the Bears bring him on as the next head coach. His decision to return to Detroit could have ultimately given the Bears enough time to fire Eberflus and need a head coach.

Interested teams might have to be patient with Johnson if the Lions make a Super Bowl run, wrote Jahns. That could mean missing out on some of the best assistant coaches and coordinator candidates, but Kyle Shanahan was definitely worth the wait in San Francisco in 2017.

Johnson has the potential to change any offense. He has been a big reason for Jared Goffs career revival. The Bears are not short of offensive playmakers. D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze could both put up big numbers under Johnsons scheme.