Bears Staff Hires Keep Coming: Dave Borgonzi Officially Official, Tyke Tolbert Reportedly Coming

It’s been a day of moving and shaking when it comes to building a Chicago Bears coaching staff.

Sure, we’ve seen Joe Brady go elsewhere. But others are making their way to Chicago, where they will join Matt Eberflus and company. In fact, Eberflus seems to be getting the band back together with the second hire for his defensive coaching staff.

Because, in addition to adding Alan Williams as the new defensive coordinator, Dave Borgonzi is coming to the Bears as their new linebackers coach. Like Williams, Borgonzi was coaching with Eberflus and the Colts the last four seasons. But on top of that, Borgonzi has an extensive history coaching in the NFL. Borgonzi has time spent with the Cowboys (2011-13) and Buccaneers (2014-17). Plus, his brother Mike is the Kansas City Chiefs’ Assistant GM. You’ve gotta love when football runs in the family.

Borgonzi comes to Chicago and will take over a position group that is a source of pride for Bears fans and the organization alike. When you think of Bears football, your brain often goes to the linebacker position. That is where Borgonzi will be coaching in 2022. The hope is that, with the help of Borgonzi’s tutelage, Roquan Smith can take his game to another level and join the ranks of some of the elite linebackers to suit up in Chicago. And if you’ve been noticing what Darius Leonard (three Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro nods) in recent years, then you might understand why there is some excitement that comes with these hires.

On the other side of the ball, a new name emerges for the group working with new OC Luke Getsy:

 

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Bears are hiring Tyke Tolbert to their staff. Tolbert was the Giants receivers coach from 2018-21. And in Chicago, he’ll reportedly add passing game coordinator to his title once his hire becomes official. Seeing this news hours after Joe Brady went off the market makes me wonder if Brady (who held a similar role for LSU in 2019) was given an opportunity for this role. Not that it matters now.

Tolbert has been at it from a coaching standpoint for a while. The 54-year-old has been coaching receivers in the NFL since 2003. Tolbert has stops in Arizona (2003), Buffalo (2004-09), Carolina (2010), and Denver (2011-17). This would put him on the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 winning staff, as well as the Cardinals group of coaches when Anquan Boldin put up 101 catches, 1,377 yards, and 8 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors from the AP and PFWA. If Tolbert can live up to the reputation Rapoport says the new Bears assistant has, then this hire will be praised in hindsight.

It’s been a busy day for building a coaching staff. The Bears made it officially official with Alan Williams as the defensive coordinator. Williams was coaching safeties with the Colts the last four years while Eberflus was the defensive coordinator. Now, Williams will call the shots as the defensive play-caller in Chicago. Also joining the party is Chris Morgan, the Bears’ new offensive line coach. Morgan has ties to the Shanahan coaching tree, which adds a layer of intrigue to this hire.

There are still numerous positions to fill, so the Bears aren’t out of the woods yet. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to shovel some snow. But if the Bears keep up this hiring rate, then I imagine there will be more coaches to discuss when I get back in from the great outdoors.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

How to Watch Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

On Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cleveland Guardians (1-0), led by Jose Ramirez, visit Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Athletics and when does...

more bears news