Chicago Bears new offensive coordinator addresses his role on Ben Johnson’s staff

   

The Chicago Bears hired head coach Ben Johnson with the idea that he would solve their offensive woes and develop quarterback Caleb Williams.

Johnson turned around and hired 28-year-old Declan Doyle away from his duties as the Denver Broncos tight ends coach to be the Bears offensive coordinator. The move was stunning, if not confusing, especially given the Broncos’ lack of production at tight end since Doyle took his first-ever position coach job in 2023.

Declan Doyle needs to earn Ben Johnson’s trust

Sure, Doyle won’t be calling plays, but he’ll have important duties as Johnson’s OC. During his press conference on Thursday, Doyle explained what he’d be doing for Johnson in 2025.

“Basically, I have to do that work that [Johnson’s] not gonna have time to do, and he’s going to have to be able to trust me that I’m gonna give him the correct information he needs as a decision maker,” Doyle said via the Bears’ website.

“And really throughout the week, streamlining the teaching progression to the players, making sure that everything is built around them. Myself, Ben and the rest of the staff, we’re not gonna take a snap this year. We have to make sure that our players understand their toolbox, so they can go out and play fast and play at a high level.”

Johnson will be learning how to be a head coach on the fly this year. Doyle will be in the same boat as a newbie offensive coordinator, albeit as an offensive mind that Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton wanted to reunite with following their days together in New Orleans.

The Chicago Bears need to be on the same page

Doyle said it’s crucial that he and Johnson get on the same page early before Johnson gets carried away with the non-offensive parts of being the Bears head coach.

“The biggest thing is, high levels of communication from that position, the ability to utilize all the resources within the staff and give very direct, not only messaging but direction to what we’re trying to accomplish,” Doyle said. “The biggest thing is you’re on the same page with the play-caller.

“Me and Ben are gonna have to spend a ton of time together diving into film. I’m really really excited to be able to go do that. And make sure I see the game the same way he sees it, to be able to orchestrate it and set the table for him and really make sure we’re doing it the way he wants to do it.”

There could be a significant learning curve seen from OTAs through the regular season with this duo.