The Chicago Bears are in the market for a new offensive coordinator following the departure of former OC Declan Doyle to the Ravens for the same role under new Baltimore HC Jesse Minter. It’s a promotion of sorts for Doyle, as he’ll have playcalling responsibilities with the Ravens, whereas Bears HC Ben Johnson handles all of that in Chicago.
Doyle had previously spent time with Sean Payton in both New Orleans and Denver. The 2025 season was his first with Johnson, and the two worked well together, fueling a resurgent Bears offense, winning the NFC North and reaching the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Now, Johnson will need to find a replacement in Chicago, and filling coordinator vacancies can be a tricky proposition.
Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson Could Reunite With a Recently-Fired Offensive Coordinator
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 04: Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on January 04, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
One name that’s been floated as a possibility for the Bears’ offensive coordinator opening is former Jets OC Tanner Engstrand. He has years of experience working alongside and under Johnson in Detroit, and he was just let go by the Jets after one year as their offensive coordinator.
A year ago, the Jets hired then-Lions DC Aaron Glenn to be their next head coach. Glenn brought Engstrand with him, then serving as the Lions’ passing game coordinator under Johnson, who was Detroit’s offensive coordinator before taking the Bears’ head coaching gig in the same cycle. Johnson and Engstrand worked together for years in Detroit, and the Jets offense was broken last year for a lot of reasons that may or may not have to do with Engstrand. He’s a likely candidate to join Johnson in Chicago.
Johnson’s first hire at offensive coordinator, Doyle, originated from the Sean Payton coaching tree. If Engstrand isn’t the hire, Johnson could look to go back to that well and explore some other options, coaches who worked under Payton. This could include Joe Lombardi, the former Broncos offensive coordinator, or even Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb — though he is in high demand and may prefer to stay in Denver.
The Chicago Bears Could Look to Promote an Internal Candidate
If not Engstrand, Lombardi, or Webb, there are two more logical paths for the Bears and Johnson to explore. One would be to revisit Johnson’s Detroit ties and make a play for someone like Lions assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery or Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley.
Additionally, the Bears could look to promote from within. Johnson built a strong initial staff in Chicago and he has several promising young coaches already in the building. Bears assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El, Bears passing game coordinator Press Taylor, and Bears quarterbacks coach JT Barrett are all intriguing options should Chicago go down that route.
Whoever Johnson hires, they’ll be tasked with aiding him in continuing the development of third-year QB Caleb Williams. After a rocky rookie season, Williams bounced back in a big way and helped lead the Bears to a lot of wins and offensive production in 2025. He still has work to do, however, and Chicago needs him at his best to get where they want to go.
Ben Johnson Could Reunite With Recently Fired OC After Declan Doyle Leaves Bears