Bears coordinator opts out of consideration for the Eagles’ vacant role, but another team is looking to steal the rising candidate
Declan Doyle is starting to gain more attention around the league.
Ben Johnson’s coaching staff with the Chicago Bears was in high-demand around the NFL following the team’s impressive turnaround during the 2025-26 season.
One assistant coach in Eric Bieniemy has already been poached from the Bears staff with other slips still in consideration for Al Harris. Another top member of Johnson’s staff gaining more interest is offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Ravens request interview with Doyle under new head coach Jesse Minter
The Baltimore Ravens became the second team to show interest in the Bears offensive coordinator and submitted a request to interview him for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Last week, the Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their next head coach. Despite a lateral move position-wise, Doyle would get the opportunity to be a primary play-caller if hired by the Ravens with an offense led by MVP-caliber QB Lamar Jackson.
Doyle withdrew name from Eagles’ offensive coordinator position
Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles also submitted a request to interview Doyle for their own offensive coordinator vacancy under head coach Nick Sirianni. The request came days after Johnson told the media he welcomes any outside interest for his assistant coaches and would support his assistants in landing other opportunities to advance their coaching career.
While the Eagles position would have been a literal move title-wise as well, Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator role also would have given Doyle the opportunity to call plays for one of the league’s top offensive units featuring QB Jalen Hurts and RB Saquon Barkley. But, it wasn’t an opportunity Doyle wanted to further pursue despite having a “highly impressive” interview.
Bears are prepared to potentially lose Doyle if he lands another OC job elsewhere
Earlier this morning, I floated some potential offensive coordinator candidates, both in-house and external, Johnson and the Bears could consider if Doyle lands a position with another team. It just goes to show how uniquely equipped the Bears are for such a possibility.
As a primary play-caller, Doyle could quickly set himself up for head coaching consideration, but keeping him would be a massive win for Chicago going into the 2026 season.
“Declan has done a phenomenal job,” Johnson said earlier in the season. “He’s everything I thought he was going to be and some. He’s got tremendous presence in front of the players, extremely smart. He’s picked up the offense quickly throughout the spring and camp and has been able to augment it… I think the future’s bright for a guy like Declan. Hopefully we can keep him here for a long time, but I know he’s been an asset to me, he’s been an asset to our offense and all these players as well.”
Even if he stays in Chicago, with another strong season Doyle could easily generate more outside interest next season as he’s already viewed as a rising coach in the league.
Chicago Bears News
Sam Darnold and Drake Maye beat Caleb Williams to the punch, but Williams can hopefully join the exclusive clubs sooner than later
The Seattle Seahawks will be representing the NFC in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots.
