"[2] Johnsos also signed a baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds, but did not play due to eyesight problems.

Nicknamed "Professor" and the "Bears' Brain Trust", Johnsos was praised by his peers for his knowledge of the game.

Before the 1945 season, Johnsos received an offer to take over as head coach of the Cleveland Rams, but declined as he wished to stay in Chicago.

The Bears won the 1963 NFL Championship Game over the New York Giants with the help of a play designed by Johnsos nicknamed the "Ditka Special"; on third down late in the game, tight end Mike Ditka caught a pass that placed the Bears on the Giants' one-yard line.

He remained involved in the organization as the director of technical research, replacing the late Paddy Driscoll, and served in the position through 1974.