Multiple teams are zeroing in on one of Ben Johnson’s best assistants, including the Bears biggest rival
The raid of the Chicago Bears coaching staff is expected to continue.
The Chicago Bears had the final press conferences of the season on Wednesday with general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson each meeting with the media at Halas Hall.
Plenty was discussed including a review of the team’s 2025-26 season and the outlook for the upcoming offseason and overall 2026 expectations.
One of the things brought up by Johnson included the eventual raid of his coaching staff, with one assistant in Eric Bieniemy already landing a promotion with his former team. Bieniemy won’t be the only assistant from Johnson’s leaving Chicago for a new role, and it’s something Johnson welcomes.
“I know we already have some slips coming through that other teams would like to interview some of our guys and I’m all for it, man,” Johnson said. “I want these guys to continue to ascend. Anything I can do to help them out, I think they all know I’m more than willing to do that. But a big part of what this collection of guys brought to the table was they all wanted to be here. That was a big thing for me. I want guys that want to be here, and so if a guy wants to continue to build upon what we started, then I would love that as well.”
Hours after speaking with the media, another assistant coach is starting to garner some serious attention from two NFC foes, including the Bears top division rival.
Packers, Commanders, Titans moving in to interview Al Harris for vacant DC position
Bears defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris received two interview requests on Wednesday night, both for a defensive coordinator position, from the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders. Given his connection with both teams, this is serious interest. On Friday, the Tennessee Titans lined up a third interview with Harris.
For starters, Harris spent seven seasons playing cornerback with the Packers, including two Pro Bowl seasons. Potentially returning home was always something to prepare for if the Packers opening became available. On Monday, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was hired to become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins, opening the position up on head coach Matt LaFleur’s staff.
As for the Commanders, Harris has history with head coach Dan Quinn after coaching together with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2024 with Quinn serving as the team’s defensive coordinator and Harris serving as the defensive backs coach & defensive pass game coordinator.
The Titans made the decision to hire Robert Saleh as the team’s next head coach with Saleh expected to call plays defensively in Tennessee. Harris would give Saleh an experienced right-hand man on defense to lead the new charge if hired.
One last team to potentially watch out for is the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Saturday, the Steelers landed on Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin as their head coach. During the five years Harris was in Dallas, McCarthy was the Cowboys head coach. McCarthy also coached Harris as a player from 2006-2009 when Harris was in Green Bay.
Al Harris is more than deserving of a DC opportunity
Harris has been in the coaching ranks for years now and is more than deserving of a defensive coordinator opportunity of his own. Everywhere Harris has gone, success has followed.
“He’s done a phenomenal job,” Johnson said of Harris earlier in the season. “He’s made a huge impact on our players, he’s made a huge impact on our defense, and our team. Everywhere he’s been, his DBs have been ballhawks.”
Similar high praise for Harris was shared by Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and worked closely with him running the defense in Chicago this past season.
“When you play this game, and you’ve played this game at a high level like he has, there’s instant credibility in terms of what you can provide from a player’s perspective,” Allen explained. “Al will talk to us sometimes in terms of like looking through the helmet as opposed to the ball cap. I think that’s a valuable resource to have. It’s a valuable resource for me to have. It’s a valuable resource for the players to have, but I think that and the mindset of how we’re going to play and how we’re going to attack the ball. I think he’s brought those things. I’m extremely happy with him and really all the assistant coaches.”
The Bears defense led the NFL in takeaways and interceptions during the 2025-26 season. Harris was an integral role in that and similar success will continue to follow him into his next stop. And he’s not the first or last assistant that can be on the move the next few days.
“This is a five-star staff,” Johnson added. “And it’s no surprise to me that we have a number of coaches that are garnering interest right now.”
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