The Chicago Bears are doing their best to turn things around after what has felt like decades of mediocrity from the franchise. They seemed to be taking a step in the right direction with the selection of former Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams first overall in the NFL draft.
Things continued to look promising after Williams and the Bears got out to a 4-2 start on the season. Unfortunately, that was as good as things got in Chicago. The Bears went on to finish 5-12 on the season, with the fifth win not coming until the last game of the season.
Things were so bleak in Chicago this season, head coach Matt Eberflus was fired in the middle of the campaign following an embarrassing late-game approach that cost the team a chance at beating the Detroit Lion in a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game.
After the season ended, Chicago hired former Detroit Lions coach Ben Johnson as the organization’s new head coach. Now, Johnson has made his selection for the team’s offensive coordinator, according to one prominent league insider.
“The (Bears) are hiring (Broncos) TE coach Declan Doyle as their new offensive coordinator, per me and (Tom Pelissero). A key hire for coach Ben Johnson, Doyle is a rising offensive mind. At just 28, he’s now an OC,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday.
The #Bears are hiring #Broncos TE coach Declan Doyle as their new offensive coordinator, per me and @TomPelissero.
A key hire for coach Ben Johnson, Doyle is a rising offensive mind. At just 28, he’s now an OC. pic.twitter.com/UicDflFnmJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2025
It’s an interesting hire considering Doyle has no previous experience calling plays, and Johnson has never been a head coach before.
Fans reacted to the hire on social media.
“New head coach without head coaching experience and now a new offensive coordinator with no offensive coordinator experience,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Why is Ben Johnson hiring so many people from the Sean Payton tree??? His only connection to the tree is working for Dan Campbell,” one fan wrote.
“Cmon we all know who’s gonna be calling the plays HC Ben Johnson,” added a fan.
“Young guy who’s been with Sean Payton for acouple years, not gonna complain,” one person added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Doyle and Johnson can unlock Williams’ potential.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.