At a Glance
- Ben Johnson became head coach of the Chicago Bears in January 2025
- His wife Jessica agreed to uproot their family from Detroit to support his career
- The couple made a pact to never go two weekends without seeing each other
- Why it matters: Their story shows how NFL families sacrifice and adapt for career moves
Ben Johnson’s rapid rise to become head coach of the Chicago Bears in January 2025 came with one major condition – his wife Jessica had to agree to move their three children across the country. The couple, high school sweethearts from Asheville, North Carolina, have built their life around supporting each other’s dreams while maintaining strong family bonds.
High School Sweethearts Turned NFL Family
Ben and Jessica Johnson’s love story began at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, North Carolina. Though they attended different universities – Ben at University of North Carolina and Jessica at North Carolina State University – their relationship endured through college and beyond.
The couple married in 2014 and started their family three years later:
- 2017: Welcomed daughter Emory
- Later: Added son Kennedy and daughter Halle
- 2025: Moved entire family to Chicago for Ben’s new role
The Detroit to Chicago Transition
When Ben accepted the Bears head coaching position in January 2025, the family faced a difficult decision. They had established deep roots in Detroit during his six years with the Lions, where he served as offensive coordinator.
The Johnsons purchased a $3.25 million six-bedroom home in Lake Forest, Illinois, after listing their four-bedroom Plymouth, Michigan home in July 2025. The move represented more than just a career change – it meant uprooting their children from schools, friends, and the community they had grown to love.
Making Marriage Work in the NFL
The demands of NFL coaching create unique challenges for families. Ben and Jessica implemented one key rule to maintain their connection: they refuse to go two consecutive weekends without seeing each other.
During Memorial Day weekend, the family explored Chicago together, visiting Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel and the Shedd Aquarium. These moments help maintain normalcy amid the chaos of professional football.
The Chase Rice Connection
Country music star Chase Rice adds an interesting chapter to their story. The “Eyes on You” singer revealed he attended the same schools as Ben and Jessica, joking that Ben “stole” Jessica from him after they went to a middle school dance together.
Rice and Ben played football together at A.C. Reynolds High School and UNC, serving as co-captains. The friendship remains strong – Rice visited the family in Detroit in December 2024, and the Johnsons attended his Chicago concert during summer 2025.
Both men continue using their high school motivational chant “Good, better, best / Never let it rest / Till your good gets better / And your better gets best” – Ben with the Bears, Rice with his band before shows.
Fatherhood Philosophy
Ben approaches parenting with lessons learned from his own father, Don Johnson. He acknowledges the delicate balance between showing love and preparing children for real-world challenges.
“I want them to know that I’m proud of them and I love them to death, but at the same time, I want them to be ready for the real world down the road as well,” Ben explained. “It’s always a balancing act and I wish I had all the answers.”
Don Johnson embraces his role as grandfather, offering support without interfering with Ben and Jessica’s parenting decisions.
Jessica’s Role in the Bears Community
Jessica quickly embraced her new role as an NFL coach’s wife. In October 2025, she attended her first Bears Wives Luncheon, where she received a historical hand-sewn Bears patch.
“It’s such an honor to be presented with a patch that has so much history,” Jessica said. “To give all the women here today a different glimpse into where it all started, the memories, the hard work and the history of this franchise is special.”
The Family’s Chicago Future
As the Bears compete for a 2026 Super Bowl appearance, the Johnson family has fully embraced their Chicago life. Ben expressed his vision during his introduction press conference on January 22, 2025, with Jessica and all three children by his side.
“It doesn’t take long to realize that this place is special,” Ben said. “These people are special. This is exactly where I wanted to raise my family, my kids. I know we’re going to have so much fun living up here in Chicago.”
The transition required sacrifice from Jessica, who had to leave behind a thriving situation in Detroit. Ben acknowledged this challenge publicly, expressing gratitude for her willingness to trust his career decisions.
Key Takeaways
- The Johnsons’ story demonstrates how NFL coaching careers impact entire families
- Their commitment to never missing two weekends together shows deliberate effort to maintain relationships
- Jessica’s support enabled Ben to pursue his dream job without family concerns holding him back
- The couple’s high school sweetheart story spans decades, colleges, and now multiple cities
- Their three children are growing up with Chicago as their new home base
