The Chicago Bears have found their new defensive coordinator in a candidate who brings tons of experience and an elite defensive-mind to Ben Johnson's staff.
There's no better coach out there to lean on for support but also have full confidence in running the team's defense than Dennis Allen.
After making things finally official late Sunday night, Allen can now work on building out the rest of the staff and roster alongside Johnson.
In New Orleans, both as a head coach and defensive coordinator under Sean Payton, Allen boasted a strong unit and will be looking to bring that system over to a Bears' team that will be returning 11 defensive starters.
"I've never coached with Dennis. I've never met him. But, I would tell you we faced that defense a year ago when he was in New Orleans and gained a lot of respect for it," Johnson said last week. "I think everywhere he has been along the way, they have been a top third-down team, a top red zone team. So there are a lot of pillars about what he does schematically that would be appealing to me. He has worked with Aaron Glenn. he has worked with Dan Campbell. Both speak very highly of him."
His former players also speak just as highly of him as well and even though the Bears are returning all 11 defensive starters, that doesn't mean the team should overlook any upgrades that could be made. Here are five players that played under Allen that the team's new defensive coordinator could look to bring to Chicago.
DE Chase Young
This could be a reunion in more ways than one. If the Bears look to sign Chase Young in free agency, they won't just be reuniting him with Allen but also his former pass rush partner from the Washington Commanders, Montez Sweat.
One of the biggest holes on the Bears' defense is finding a consistent threat on the outside to take some pressure off of Sweat. The unit tried to rotate multiple players during the 2024 season to accomplish that, but to no avail.
The front office needs to consider finding an upgrade this offseason in some shape or form and taking the gamble on Young could pay off. Young spent one season under Allen in 2024 where he recorded 5.5 sacks and a career-high 21 QB hits.
CB Paulson Adebo
As for the secondary, the biggest upgrade the unit could make would be finding a more reliable outside cornerback to play opposite Jaylon Johnson. The Bears have been rotating two young players in Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith over the last two seasons but both have shown limitations at that position.
And when you have a lock down cornerback on one side, you can't have someone that could be a liability for the defense on the other side of the field.
That's what makes Paulson Adebo such an intriguing target for the Bears in free agency, but he's going to have a strong market, even coming off of a broken femur. Last season, Adebo was targeted 57 times allowing just one touchdown while having three interceptions and seven pass breakups. In 2023, he also allowed one touchdown with four interceptions and 11 pass break ups. This guy is exactly what the Bears need to solidify the cornerback position.
DE Payton Turner
If the Bears want to find a cheaper option than Young to complement Sweat and someone who has more history with Dennis Allen, the front office should also look into Payton Turner.
The Saints drafted Turner with the 28th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he's slowing been coming into his own. Turner played 15 games in his first three seasons combined turned things around in 2024 playing 16 of the 17 regular season games.
Turner's 2.0 sacks almost reached his total of his first three seasons combined as well (3.0). By pursuing Turner, the Bears could opt to keep DeMarcus Walker and rotate in Turner and 2024 fifth-round pick Austin Booker at the position. This would give the team more pass rush options but also save the team some money to use elsewhere.
Ugo Amadi
Going back to the secondary, another potential concern for the unit could be the depth at the safety position. Kevin Byard will be 32-years-old next season and Jaquan Brisker will be coming off a third career concussion that forced him to miss each of the final 12 games of the season.
Behind those two, Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks played strong football as backups but the team will be losing the rest of the depth at the position.
One name Allen could consider bringing into the room would be Ugo Amadi. The 27-year-old spent each of the last two seasons under Allen with the Saints and played 11 games while making five starts during the 2024 season. He set career-highs in tackles (65), pass deflections (7), and sacks (2.0). Allen really unlocked something in his game during the 2024 season and could look to get him around with the Bears.
DE Cameron Jordan
The Saints' 8-time Pro Bowler won't be hitting free agency as soon as the new league year begins, but cap constraints and a high cap number could force New Orleans to move on from one of the team's most respected players.
At 35-years-old, Cameron Jordan might have played his final game with the Saints but proved in 2024 there's still some gas left in the tank. Jordan played 10 seasons under Allen and reached seven different Pro Bowls in that span.
Last season, the veteran pass rusher still managed to rack up 4.0 sacks while starting all 17 games. In terms of finding an alpha pass rusher to complement Sweat, there wouldn't be a better option to fit Allen's scheme than Jordan if the Saints decide to part ways with him this offseason. If that indeed happens, you know Allen will be in general manager Ryan Poles' office as soon as possible.
