The Chicago Bears got their guy in Ben Johnson.
One of the NFL’s most up-and-coming offensive minds is going to lead the Bears and is tasked with elevating Caleb Williams into the star he was drafted to be.
Still, Johnson is just one piece of the puzzle. He has to piece together his staff.
Here’s what Johnson’s staff in Chicago could look like.
Who’ll run the defense?
The most important hire Johnson can make is the next Bears’ defensive coordinator. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have that hire in mind.
Schefter reported that Johnson has been busy putting a staff together, and that includes former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen.
Allen was fired during the 2024 season, but was a stellar defensive coordinator in two separate tenures in New Orleans. Allen is reportedly the “leading candidate” to be the Bears’ next defensive coordinator.
This would add head coaching experience to Johnson’s staff. Allen was a head coach in New Orleans and for the then-Oakland Raiders.
If Allen is expected to take the reins of the defense, he might bring some of his preferred assistants with him from New Orleans. Saints pass rush specialist Brian Young has been with the Saints with 2009 and has worked with Allen in New Orleans since 2015. That kind of continuity could be needed, especially with a defensive roster ready to win games now like the Bears’ defense is.
Like Young, linebackers coach Michael Hodges has been with the Saints franchise since 2017. It’s another name that could follow Allen to Chicago that would bring alignment and familiarity with the defensive side of the ball.
What about special teams?
Schefter also reported that Johnson could have his special teams coordinator in mind.
Schefter reported that Johnson and the Bears are “heavily pursing” former Saints interim head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi for their special teams coordinator opening if Rizzi does not land a head coaching position.
Rizzi worked with Allen in New Orleans over the past few seasons. However, Rizzi and Johnson go way back.
Johnson and Rizzi coached under the same staff in Miami under then-head coach Adam Gase. Rizzi was the associate head coach and special teams coordinator, while Johnson was the wide receivers coach.
That would give the Bears some more league experience, too. Rizzi has been in the league since 2009 and has spend time between the Dolphins and Saints organizations.
How does the rest of the offense take shape?
Johnson called plays in Detroit, so it’s fair to assume he’ll call plays in Chicago, too.
That still means he needs an offensive staff to work with.
Schefter reported that Johnson has been busy putting his staff together, which should stand to reason Johnson has put plenty of thought into what his offensive staff would be.
Two names that come to mind are Antwaan Randle El, Hank Fraley and Mark Brunell. Fraley is the Lions’ offensive line coach, Randel El is the Lions’ wide receivers coach and Brunell is the Lions’ quarterbacks coach. It would make sense to think Johnson could bring one of those two to Chicago as his offensive coordinator.
They wouldn’t call plays, but they’d bring alignment with Johnson. Plus, it would be a promotion in title and in pay. Fraley, Randle El and Brunell are all former NFL players, too.
Other names Johnson worked with in Detroit are: passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, tight ends coach Steve Heiden and Lions assistant offensive line coach Steve Oliver.
Oliver worked with Haley to make the Lions’ offensive line into the top unit that it was this season. Engstrand might be the Lions’ choice to replace Johnson. Heiden helped develop Sam LaPorta into a Second-team All-Pro tight end in 2023.
