The Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson to be their new head coach was just the first step in a larger journey. Because now that he is settling in, the time has come for him to build out a staff. Optimism is high. Not only because the Bears were able to hold off Tom Brady (and other possible suitors) and reel in Johnson, but also because one NFL insider reported that the new Bears coach was lining up a “star-studded” coaching staff.
We’ll see how that shakes out when the dust settles. In the meantime, this can be the place where we follow and discuss rumors
Tracking the Chicago Bears coaching staff rumors
We’re keeping tabs on rumored coaching candidates who could land on Ben Johnson’s staff with the Chicago Bears.
OFFENSE
- The dream of hiring Lions OL Coach Hank Fraley isn’t dead, but it sure feels like a long shot. Teammate Matt Rooney wrote about it earlier today.
MORE: Are the Bears Still a Possibility For Hank Fraley?
- Over at The Athletic, Kevin Fishbain (via Twitter/X) mentions Syracuse Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Jeff Nixon. Fishbain notes that Nixon coached Miami Dolphins running backs from 2011-15, which is when Johnson was also working with the Dolphins (offensive assistant in 2012, assistant QBs coach from 2013-15, TEs coach in 2015). A fun nugget here is that the Syracuse Orange, in addition to having a fun mascot, had college football’s top-rated passing offense in college football last year.
- More on Nixon, who ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports could be in play as a potential position coach. Nixon has coached tight ends (49ers, 2016), running backs (Panthers, 2020-21; Giants, 2023), and other positions at the pro level at stops beyond his time in Miami. Just something to keep in mind.
- The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs tweets that Denver Broncos Tight Ends Coach Declan Doyle is a name being linked to the Bears. Doyle spent four years (2019-22) as an offensive assistant working under Sean Payton and Dennis Allen. Considering the Bears’ connections to Allen as the presumed favorite for the defensive coordinator position, this feels like a notable name-check on Biggs’ part. Doyle has spent the last two seasons coaching Broncos tight ends.
DEFENSE
- Long-time defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was fingered as a potential front-runner for the Bears’ DC opening not too long after it was reported that Ben Johnson was taking the gig in Chicago. Allen has twice been a head coach, but the results weren’t great. But still … his work as a defensive coordinator has been top-notch. It would make sense if Allen is the assistant with prior NFL head coaching experience that Ben Johnson tabs as his top target in this hiring cycle.
- Los Angeles Rams assistant Aubrey Pleasant was the first known defensive coordinator candidate in which the Bears were publicly connected with an interview request. Pleasant has no experience as a defensive play caller. However, he has served as a head coach in a Rams preseason game. And they won!
- Minnesota Vikings assistant coach Daronte Jones has been requested for an interview with the Bears. Jones and Ben Johnson crossed paths while with the Miami Dolphins. And with Jones’ work under Brian Flores, this feels like a good place to point out that Flores and Bears GM Ryan Poles have a long-standing history.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- It sounds like Darren Rizzi won’t join the Bears’ new coaching staff. Rizzi has options. The highly regarded special teams coach could land with the Denver Broncos or could return to the New Orleans Saints after serving as the team’s interim head coach. There is also an expectation that Richard Hightower will be back with the Bears in 2025. If that is how the cookie crumbles, Ben Johnson will become the fourth head coach he has worked with in Chicago. Hightower has been employed by John Fox (2016), Matt Eberflus (2022-24), and Thomas Brown (2024). Is Ben Johnson next?
To be continued…