Latest NFL coaching change is putting even more attention on one of Ben Johnson’s assistants that he can’t afford to lose in 2026
Could AL Harris move up the coaching ranks next season?
The Ben Johnson “Brain Drain” is coming up faster than many people think and it’s going to be something the Chicago Bears head coach needs to start preparing for if he wants to sustain the level of success he had in his first year in the big chair.
That’s what makes life as an NFL head coach so complicated because there’s a ton of moving parts in the day-to-day life. Right now, Johnson and the Bears’ coaching staff are 10-4 preparing for a pivotal rematch against the Green Bay Packers and looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
The last thing anyone wants to think about right now is life after this season, but doing so is what helps great coaches continue to sustain a high level of success. Look at what Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and even now Dan Campbell have been forced to go through when it comes to dealing with changes on the staff and being able to adapt.
The “brain drain” is coming for Ben Johnson with teams potentially interested in raiding his top-level staff he brought with him to Chicago and the latest NFL coaching decision just brought more attention another one of his top assistants.
Al Harris could be a legitimate option for the New York Jets’ vacant DC position
On Monday, the New York Jets made the decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, one day removed from allowing 48 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It wasn’t a decision head coach Aaron Glenn wanted to make, but Sunday’s loss forced his hand.
And now, Glenn begins his search for his next defensive coordinator and the one concerning stat Jets fans have brought up is the fact that the Jets have not recorded a single interception in 15 weeks this season. The team leading the NFL in interceptions? The Chicago Bears, and a big reason why is because of the emphasis and coaching by defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris.
“Every single day, he’s talking about getting the ball, every single day he’s telling us how to get the ball. Things like that,” Bears safety Jaquan Brisker explained back in October. “I feel like he has made a good impact, a huge impact. He’s a good person, too, off the field. As a man, himself, that’s somebody who you want to play for.”
The other thing that could entice Harris toward the Jets’ vacant position is the fact that Glenn is a defensive-minded head coach, making it a smooth transition into a much higher role. To make things worse for Chicago, Johnson and Glenn are close too after serving as coordinators together in Detroit.
Al Harris’ time is coming one way or another
Even if it’s not with the Jets, Harris seems like an evitable option to be a future defensive coordinator somewhere else and now has added another strong season to his resume this season with the Bears.
“I think Al Harris is going to get major consideration to be a defensive coordinator in this league,” former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman said on his podcast. “It just so happens that the team’s that he’s coaching get a lot of turnovers. Every time you turn on the tape, their DBs are making plays.”
The team to really watch out for is the Green Bay Packers. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has done an incredible job this season and is start to gain serious head coaching consideration. If Hafley leaves Green Bay, head coach Matt LaFleur could look to poach a top assistant from a division rival to take Hafley’s place. And there’s familiarity considering Harris played seven seasons with the Packers.
Harris is going to continue to draw major attention once more defensive coordinator positions open and he’s more than deserving for that role. Once it inevitably happens, it’ll be a massive loss for Johnson’s staff and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit.
Chicago Bears News
Bears HC Ben Johnson detailed the hidden factor that benefited Chicago in Week 15 and will continue to be prevalent in the coming weeks
The home crowd came out no matter the weather.
