Ben Johnson might already be getting a head start toward putting together his first coaching staff with the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are moments away from making things official with Ben Johnson becoming the next head coach of one of the most storied franchises in NFL history.Once pen gets to paper, the 38-year-old will become the team's head coach and the next order of business will be constructing his first ever coaching staff to […]
The Chicago Bears are moments away from making things official with Ben Johnson becoming the next head coach of one of the most storied franchises in NFL history.
Once pen gets to paper, the 38-year-old will become the team's head coach and the next order of business will be constructing his first ever coaching staff to join him.
One name is already being linked to the Bears and it would be a fantastic first hire for Johnson's staff. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is considered a strong candidate to become the Bears' next defensive coordinator under Johnson.
Soon after Allen's name was linked to the Bears, the Indianapolis Colts announced they hired Lou Anarumo as their next defensive coordinator. The former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator had previous connections with Johnson and many believed he would be Johnson's ideal pick for his first NFL staff, but it seems like Allen might be his new guy to run the defense in Chicago.
Allen's defense ranked Top-10 in total defense and scoring defense in 2020 and 2021 while he served as defensive coordinator. In 2022, Allen replaced Sean Payton as the team's head coach, leading them to a 18-25 record before being fired this season.
Allen was previously took a defensive coordinator interview with the Colts and was expected to draw interest from other teams looking for a new defensive coordinator.
As a defensive coordinator, Allen is one of the best available and offers over 23 years of NFL coaching experience to Johnson's staff, a must have for a first time head coach. His scheme would also be the perfect fit for an already established defensive roster in Chicago headlined by multiple star talents.
Schefter also added that the Bears are heavily pursuing former Saints' interim head coach Darren Rizzi to be Johnson's special teams coordinator, a role Rizzi held under Allen until taking over the head coaching duties to finish the season. Rizzi is expected to have multiple options, including potential head coach offers, to choose from.
As for Johnson's other coordinators, keep an eye in Detroit on Lions' assistants Hank Fraley or Tanner Engstrand to potentially become Johnson's offensive coordinator.
