Latest Chicago Bears Staff Update Delivers A Surprise Plot Twist

Yesterday, the news broke that the Chicago Bears were hiring veteran defensive assistant Bill Johnson to their new staff. It was assumed the 69-year-old would be taking over the defensive line from the departing Travis Smith since that has been his position of expertise for the past 40 years. He won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints and a national championship with LSU. Nobody could bat an eye at the choice for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. However, it appears that such a conclusion was premature.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Johnson's addition to the staff is confirmed, but not as the primary defensive line coach. The role is not yet specified. This means the Bears are still hunting for that critical position coach.

The team has hired Bill Johnson as a defensive assistant, first reported by Aaron Wilson of Houston’s KPRC. Johnson was the defensive line coach for the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions and worked with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in New Orleans. It’s uncertain what his specific title is, but it’s not believed he will be the primary defensive line coach.

It isn't clear who the team might be targeting. If one were playing connect the dots, the obvious name Allen will pursue is Ryan Nielsen. Most recently the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he and the Bears defensive coordinator worked together for six seasons in New Orleans.

The Chicago Bears have every reason to pursue Nielsen.

He was arguably the best defensive line coach in the NFL during that stretch with the Saints. Over those six seasons, they averaged 46.5 sacks per season, compared to the Bears' average of 30 under Matt Eberflus. If Nielsen is a target, he would be a home run hire. It will be interesting to see what Johnson's role on the staff is. Perhaps the team feels they need a more veteran presence who has a winning track record. One can't argue that after spending most of the past decade stuck in the league's cellar.

This entire process has starkly contrasted previous Chicago Bears staff searches. Eberflus had his mostly put together within a matter of days after taking over in 2022. That isn't the case with Ben Johnson. He was hired as head coach ten days ago and still hasn't filled key position spots like the offensive and defensive lines. It is clear he is being methodical about it, hoping to make the right choices. Given the importance of both jobs, one can't fault him for that.