Ben Johnson’s coaching staff shuffle is expected to continue with a friend and rising candidate floated as a Bears option
Ben Johnson’s staff is going to have a few changes in 2026.
Creating a strong coaching staff is one of the most important things you can do as an NFL head coach, especially in your first year in the big chair. But sustaining a strong support staff is even more important after that first season on the job.
That’s something Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is starting to learn with the offseason now underway. Johnson created an all-star staff for the 2025-26 season with a nice mix of experienced veterans, rising candidates, and former NFL standouts. However, change is always expected in this league.
Hours after the team’s season ended on Sunday, Johnson lost his first assistant coach with Eric Bieniemy departing to reunite with Andy Reid in Kansas City. Now the hunt is on for a new RB coach for the offensive staff. And it sounds like more staff shuffling is expected to continue.
Bears linked as an option for rising offensive coach and former teammate of Ben Johnson
On Tuesday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that Boston College offensive coordinator Will Lawing is set to depart the program and linked the Bears as a potential destination spot according to his sources.
Lawing and Johnson have some history together as well, so there’s certainly something to this, as the two were college teammates at the University of North Carolina in 2004 when Johnson was a quarterback for the program and Lawing was a wide receiver.
Will Lawing’s coaching background
Lawing has an extensive background working with the tight end position, both in the NFL and at the college level. He got his start coaching with the Houston Texans in 2014 starting out as a defensive quality control coach under head coach Bill O’Brien before moving to offensive line and then tight ends coach by 2019.
Lawing followed O’Brien to Alabama’s staff in 2021 under Nick Saban and then to the New England Patriots in 2023 under Bill Belichick as the team’s tight ends coach. After O’Brien left in 2024 to become the head coach at Boston College, Lawing again left with him to become the Eagles’ offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
Bears fans should be well aware of the connection general manager Ryan Poles has with the Boston College program as well, just to add another link to this chain.
Potential fit on Ben Johnson’s 2026 staff
But, when it comes to Johnson’s staff, the only assistant job currently available is the RB coach position, until changes are made with the previous season’s staff. The position that makes the most sense for Lawing is becoming the team’s new tight end coach.
When Johnson was hired by the Bears last January, only a few assistants were retained from Matt Eberflus’ staff, including special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. Another position coach that was retained was tight ends coach Jim Dray, who’s been with the team since 2022.
The Bears tight end position had a slow start to the season but, by the end of the year, rookie tight end Colston Loveland became the team’s most dependable offensive weapon, and veteran Cole Kmet played a strong role as well. Even Durham Smythe played a solid role as the team’s third tight end.
“I’m really happy with where this group is right now,” Johnson said of the TEs on his interview with Jeff Joniak on ESPN Chicago in November. “It’s not just this week, it’s the last few weeks. I think there’s an argument that they’re the most consistent position group on our offense right now. It’s great to see them come to life. You feel their physical presence.”
Dray did a really nice job helping develop Loveland throughout his rookie season while making sure the multi-TE system kept everyone happy all season long. Yet, it’s hard to see another role that fits what Lawing could potentially bring to this staff and perhaps Johnson decides to bring his own guy in.
Lawing has experience working with a multi-TE offense the Bears are aiming to deploy. In 2023, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki combined for 71 receptions, 663 yards, and eight touchdowns when Lawing was leading the position on the Patriots’ offensive staff.
We’ll see if Johnson makes a coaching change with this position, or another spot, to potentially add Lawing to the 2026 staff.
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