The Chicago Bears' Coaching Carousel: Who's In, Who's Out, and the Surprising Moves You Might Have Missed
While the 2026 offseason might not be as chaotic as last year's complete coaching overhaul under Ben Johnson, there's still plenty of movement within the Bears' organization. This tracker will keep you updated on every hire, departure, and whispered rumor swirling around Halas Hall. And trust me, there are already some head-turning developments.
A Familiar Face Returns to Kansas City
The first domino fell with the departure of running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, who's heading back to the Kansas City Chiefs to take on the role of offensive coordinator. This move, while not entirely unexpected, leaves a void in the Bears' coaching staff that will be interesting to see filled. (For more on Bieniemy's departure, check out Windy City Gridiron's coverage).
A New Face from Boston College?
On January 20th, Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien announced that his offensive coordinator, Will Lawing, was leaving to join the Bears. Lawing, a former teammate of Ben Johnson at North Carolina, has been a coaching nomad, following O’Brien from Penn State to the Houston Texans, Alabama, the New England Patriots, and finally Boston College. While he played wide receiver in college, Lawing's coaching expertise lies primarily with tight ends, though he's also dabbled in defensive quality control and offensive assistant roles. The Bears have yet to officially confirm this hire, but it's a move that could bring valuable experience and a fresh perspective to the offense.
Defensive Shakeup: Harris in High Demand
And this is the part most people miss: the Bears' defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, Al Harris, is a hot commodity. On January 21st, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Harris interviewed with the Green Bay Packers for their defensive coordinator position. But that's not all – Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also revealed that Harris is in the running for the Washington Commanders' vacant defensive coordinator role. Could the Bears lose a key defensive mind? Only time will tell.
Front Office Intrigue: Cunningham and the Falcons
The movement isn't limited to the coaching staff. The Atlanta Falcons, with Matt Ryan now serving as president, have requested to interview Bears' assistant general manager Ian Cunningham for their general manager position. Interestingly, due to Ryan's presence, Cunningham wouldn't be the top football executive in Atlanta. Additionally, reports suggest the Bears wouldn't receive any draft pick compensation via the Rooney Rule if Cunningham were to make the move. (For more on this development, see The Score Chicago's report).
Eagles Eyeing Doyle: A Potential Offensive Shift?
In a surprising turn of events, the Philadelphia Eagles have requested to interview Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle for their own vacant offensive coordinator position. This move, reported by Adam Schefter on January 22nd, raises questions about the future of the Bears' offensive strategy. Would a Doyle departure signal a shift in philosophical approach?
The Bears' Offseason: More Than Meets the Eye
While this offseason might not be as dramatic as last year's, it's clear that the Bears are in a state of flux. From coaching changes to potential front office moves, the coming weeks promise to be filled with intrigue. We'll be keeping a close eye on all the developments and updating this tracker as more news breaks.
What do you think about these moves? Are the Bears headed in the right direction, or are there cause for concern? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
