NFL News: Dennis Allen Reportedly to Be Hired as Bears DC on Ben Johnson's Staff
Jan 27, 2025
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints during a 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
There will reportedly be a notable name on Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson's staff in his first year at the helm.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Chicago is hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as its next defensive coordinator. Rapoport called Allen a "respected guru" and pointed to his experience that will help the first-year head coach.
This is anything but a surprise, as it has been discussed multiple times since Chicagao hired Johnson.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Allen was the "leading candidate" for the defensive coordinator position for what could be a "star-studded coaching staff." Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that the team was expected to make the hire.
While Allen was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 until he was fired after four games in 2014 and with the Saints from 2022 until he was fired after nine games in 2024, he also has a defensive background.
In addition to time as a defensive assistant for the Atlanta Falcons and Saints early in his career, he was also the defensive coordinator for Denver Broncos in 2011 as they advanced to the AFC Divisional Round.
Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Saints for six seasons from 2016 to 2021 before becoming the team's head coach.
Neither of his tenures as a head coach went particularly well, as he went a combined 26-53 and never made the playoffs. However, he found far more success as the defensive coordinator in New Orleans.
The team made the playoffs four seasons in a row when he was D.C. from 2017 through 2020, including when it advanced to the NFC Championship Game during the 2018 campaign. His defenses finished in the top seven in the league in points and yards allowed in each of his final two years as D.C.
Much of the focus will be on Caleb Williams and the offense in Chicago, especially after the front office hired an offensive-minded head coach in Johnson. But the defense will also have to improve after finishing 27th in the league in yards allowed this past season if the Bears are going to compete in a strong NFC North.
Allen can help the unit do just that as soon as the 2025 campaign.
NFL News: Ben Johnson, Bears Reportedly Eye 28-Year-Old Declan Doyle for OC Job
Jan 25, 2025
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Newly named head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media during a introductory press conference at PNC Center at Halas Hall on January 22, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have an intriguing new candidate in mind for their open offensive coordinator position.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Bears completed an interview with Denver Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle for the offensive coordinator job and that Doyle is a "top candidate" for new head coach Ben Johnson.
The #Bears interviewed #Broncos TE coach Declan Doyle today for their offensive coordinator job, per source.
Sean Payton hired Doyle, 28, to replace Joe Brady in New Orleans and later brought him to Denver. Now Doyle is a top candidate to be Ben Johnson’s OC. pic.twitter.com/sKesTpmOQI
The Bears have also requested to interview Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork and former Stanford head coach David Shaw, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports and Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune:
The Bears have requested to interview Cardinals QBs coach Israel Woolfork for their offensive coordinator position, sources tell @NFLonCBS. Woolfork has worked with Kyler Murray the last two seasons and was with the Browns before that. pic.twitter.com/eOzelztRKu
Doyle has been with the Broncos since 2023 when Sean Payton took over as head coach. Before joining the Denver staff, he served as an offensive assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2019-2022.
Woolfork had previously served as an offensive assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns before joining the Cardinals in 2023. Shaw is currently a senior analyst for the Browns, but is best known for his work at the college level as Stanford's head coach from 2011-22. He also interviewed for the Bears head coaching role before the team signed Johnson.
Johnson was hired by the Bears on Monday after serving as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator for three seasons.
He figures to assume play-calling duties in Chicago and will hope his offensive coordinator can help him maximize the talent of a loaded roster that features Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, among others.
Video: Ben Johnson Details Jared Goff-Like Plan for Caleb Williams, Bears Offense
Jan 24, 2025
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 5: Quarterback Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
After shaping the Detroit Lions' offense around Jared Goff for three seasons, newly-hired Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson plans to make similar moves around Caleb Williams.
"We'll take the same track and mindset that we had with Jared, which is, we're going to build this thing around him," Johnson said Friday on the Rich Eisen Show (2:00 mark of the video below.)
Johnson went on to provide some insight as to how he saw the Bears' offense taking shape around Williams:
The offense, conceptually, schematically, we're going to really spend a lot of time together, and build it from him and mine. We're gonna build the rest of the unit, whether it's offensive line, perimeter unit, with him in mind. And we're gonna accentuate his strengths, and we're gonna make sure we are working to improve his weaknesses. So we'll have a great, detailed plan.
There's no question that one of his superpowers is his ability to create and extend plays, and that's not something that we want to take away from him. We're gonna encourage that within structure, as well. The perimeter players have to be in tune with, when a play breaks down and he breaks the pocket, how we're gonna respond to that so we can capitalize on big plays outside of the pocket.
Johnson said it would take sitting down and watching tape with Williams to determine the specifics of his offensive plans, but added that early conversations with the incoming second-year quarterback left him optimistic about their future relationship.
"That's why I'm so encouraged so far. He's been very receptive," Johnson told Eisen. "He wants to be coached hard. This will be a different experience for him than what he's ever had here in college, or so far in the NFL. But we'll see how far we can push the envelope with him."
Goff had some of the best seasons of his career through three years playing in Johnson's system in Detroit. He finished the 2024 campaign with career highs in passing touchdowns (37, good for fourth in the NFL) and QBR (68.4 quarterback rating, sixth highest in the league.)
Williams meanwhile took 68 sacks, the third-most in NFL history, while ranking 28th in the league with a 46.7 quarterback rating during his rookie 2024 season. The Bears will hope bringing Johnson into the fold can help the former No. 1 pick turn those numbers around during his second season the NFL.
Bears Rumors: Thomas Brown Won't Be Retained by Ben Johnson amid Jets Buzz
Jan 23, 2025
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Interim head coach Thomas Brown of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media after defeating the Green Bay Packers 24-22 at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
As Ben Johnson begins assembling his coaching staff with the Chicago Bears, Thomas Brown won't be retained after serving in three different roles for the organization this season.
Per The Athletic's Adam Jahns, Brown is among five coaches from the 2024 Bears staff who won't be with the team under Johnson.
Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported Brown is a candidate to join Aaron Glenn's staff with the New York Jets.
Brown started last season as the passing game coordinator for head coach Matt Eberflus. He was promoted to offensive coordinator on Nov. 12 after Shane Waldron was fired due to that unit's struggles.
After losing six straight games that included a disastrous end-of-game time-management sequence against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, Eberflus was fired on Nov. 29. Brown was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The Bears offense occasionally showed signs of life with Brown as interim head coach. Caleb Williams threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 loss to the Lions on Dec. 22.
It's not a surprise that Johnson would decide to move on from most of the coaches who were with the Bears in 2024. This is his first time as a head coach and he will want to assemble a staff of people he trusts.
Brown didn't seem like he would have much trouble finding another job, even before the rumors about Glenn being interested in him for the Jets. The 38-year-old has worked in the NFL since 2020 when he was hired as running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams.
Before coming to the NFL, Brown spent nine seasons coaching in college from 2011 to '19. His highest-profile job was as offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Miami from 2016 to '18.
The Bears are getting a fresh start with Johnson, who comes from an offensive background, looking to make his mark by developing Williams into the player everyone in Chicago hopes he can become after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
Schrager: Ben Johnson Called Out Matt LaFleur Despite Having No Prior Relationship
Jan 23, 2025
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Newly named head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media during a introductory press conference at PNC Center at Halas Hall on January 22, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Ben Johnson got a head start on being part of the historic rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
During his introductory press conference as Bears head coach on Wednesday, Johnson poked fun at Packers head coach Matt LaFleur by saying he "kind of enjoyed beating" him "twice a year" while he was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
On Thursday's episode of Good Morning Football, Peter Schrager said Johnson and LaFleur have "no relationship" at all to suggest that he was just needling a friend when he made the comment.
Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur are not pals. They don't have a shared history together or any coaching connections or shared mentors. Calling another coach out by name-- one you're not buddies with-- in the introductory press conference? It's on.
It's probably more common for two coaches who are friends to poke fun at each other. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay have a well-documented friendship that dates back to 2010 when they worked together on the same staff in Washington, so no one would raise an eye if either made this type of comment.
There's no reason for anyone to think Johnson was dissing LaFleur or the Packers. He said earlier in the press conference that the NFC North is the best division in the NFL and he has "tremendous respect for the coaches and players" throughout the league.
Johnson was simply stating a fact when he made the comment. The Lions won five of the last six games against the Packers over the past three seasons, including sweeping their two matchups in 2022 and 2024.
If anything, Johnson was sending a message to Bears fans that he knows how to be on the winning side of a rivalry with the Packers. Chicago isn't accustomed to that with a 5-26 record against Green Bay since the start of the 2010 season.
Ben Johnson Hypes Caleb Williams, 'Loaded' Bears Roster After Leaving Lions
Jan 22, 2025
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions looks on before a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears officially introduced Ben Johnson as their new head coach during a press conference on Wednesday, and the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator had a lot of positive things to say about his new job.
Johnson hyped 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams as "a phenomenal talent" and added that there is "no doubt" that the first-year quarterback "played a large component into my decision."
Johnson told reporters that he had long been impressed with the Bears and was eyeing them as a major obstacle for the Lions entering the 2024 campaign.
"Going into this season I felt like this place was a sleeping giant," he said. "I was personally more concerned about the Bears than I was any other team in the division."
Johnson said his message to his new players in Chicago is to "get comfortable being uncomfortable," because he plans on pushing them to reach their full potential.
"We are gonna push, and we're gonna challenge, and along with those high standards, there's also gonna be a high level of support as well," he added.
Johnson established himself as the most coveted head coaching candidate on the market by transforming the Lions offense into an elite unit since taking over as OC in 2022. This season, Detroit ranked first in the NFL with 33.2 points per game and second with 409.5 total yards per game.
The 38-year-old will be taking over a Chicago unit that was at the opposite end of the spectrum, as it ranked last in the league with 284.6 total yards per game and 27th with 18.2 points per game. When asked about building the offense with his new team, Johnson told reporters, "It's not going to look like it did in Detroit" because of the "completely different" personnel in Chicago.
While it won't be easy to go up against the Lions twice a year, Johnson joked that the opportunity to remain in the NFC North was still appealing because he can continue beating up on the Green Bay Packers.
"To quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year," he said.
At the top of the 2024 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears grabbed a potential franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. On Monday, Chicago landed a new head coach…
NFL Fans Excited for Ben Johnson to Be Caleb Williams' HC Amid Rumored Bears Contract
Jan 20, 2025
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After it was revealed that the Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach, fans were ecstatic about the prospect of Johnson teaming up with quarterback Caleb Williams next season.
The creativity alone offensively will have Caleb playing on an elite level because the supporting cast will be used to their strengths instead of getting cardio in for 4 quarters. ✅ https://t.co/BFuC1MaLIy
The Ben Johnson hire is a slam dunk for the Bears.
Get an offensive minded coach who is very innovative and creative to help a young talent in Caleb Williams develop as well as get the most out of the weapons that the Bears have.
What a hire by the Chicago Bears! Caleb Williams gets a young offensive minded coach that’s an incredible play caller! Bears fans have been begging for an offensive minded coach well here he is Chicago! Give a warm welcome to our new Head Coach Ben Johnson DA BEARS pic.twitter.com/MZn7DTK3r9
After the Bears' disastrous 5-12 season, which saw former head coach Matt Eberflus fired midway through the year, the excitement isn't limited to fans. Williams liked the NFL's Instagram post about the new hire, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Behind Johnson, the Lions have averaged 29.0 points per game since he became the offensive coordinator for Detroit in 2022. Leading the league with 33.2 points per game in 2024 was also the most in a season in franchise history, per CBS Sports' Garrett Podell.
In addition to the team's success, quarterback Jared Goff excelled throughout the season, leading the Lions' offense to rank near the top in several key NFL metrics, including total yards per game (409.5) and passing yards per game (263.2). Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also led the league in scrimmage touchdowns with 20.
The 38-year-old will now take over the talented Williams, alongside stellar players like wide receivers D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, tight end Cole Kmet and former Lions running back D'Andre Swift.
The hire is huge for Chicago, who at one point had fans worried that Johnson was going to become the Las Vegas Raiders' next head coach after an interview with the team went "really well," according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
However, following the Bears' hire, it was revealed that the Raiders were never a front-runner for Johnson, as Chicago was the "early favorite in the process," per Schultz.
With Johnson now at the helm, the Chicago Bears are poised for a promising future after a 37-63 record over the past six seasons, with 2018 being the last time they posted a winning record.
Caleb Williams 'Likes' NFL's IG Photo Reporting Ben Johnson's Bears HC Contract
Jan 20, 2025
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 5: Quarterback Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams appears to be a fan of the Chicago Bears reportedly hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Williams liked the NFL's Instagram post about the Bears' reported hiring, as noted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Pelissero reported earlier Monday that the Bears are "finalizing a deal" to hire Johnson, and that "contract parameters are in place."
The Bears are seeking a replacement for former head coach Matt Eberflus, who was fired midseason, and Thomas Brown, who finished out the season as interim head coach.
Williams spent his rookie 2024 season on an offense ranked 32nd in the NFL with 284.6 total yards per game.
He may now be hoping Johnson, who led a unit ranked second in the league with 409.5 total yards per contest, can improve those numbers during his second NFL season.
Williams previously said on the St. Brown Podcast that he had been previously tricked into thinking the Bears had hired Johnson.
When asked on the podcast who he wanted as the team's next head coach, Williams told Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon St. Brown, "I think that's a cool thing with what y'all got over there in Detroit."
Williams continued: "Selfishly, I want an offensive-minded guy... so I can also learn and grow and things like that from him and what he's seen and what he's gone through with other QBs or been around."
Johnson meanwhile praised Williams ahead of the Week 16 matchup between the Lions and Bears.
"There is no question this guy is talented," Johnson told reporters on Dec. 20. "I remember standing on the sideline last game, and just, you can hear the ball whistle by you. He's got quite a fastball, and has some creativity to him, can extend plays, and is accurate down the field as well."
Johnson added: "He's been impressive from afar."
The reporting hiring in Chicago marks the first head coaching job of Johnson's NFL career. He previously spent seven seasons on the Miami Dolphins staff, including stints as assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant wide receivers coach, before joining the Lions' staff ahead of the 2019 season.
Ben Johnson, Bears Agree to HC Contract After Lions' Playoff Loss amid Raiders Rumors
Jan 20, 2025
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions looks on in the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears found the head coach they hope will lead them to plenty of success during the Caleb Williams era. And they're poaching from a divisional rival in the process.
Chicago has officially hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to serve as its next head coach:
"Throughout our search process, I was thoroughly impressed by Ben's character, intelligence, leadership and ability to connect," general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. "A progressive offensive mind, Ben's plan for all three phases of our team, which is centered on creating a winning and competitive environment, became evidently clear. Meeting with Ben and gaining an understanding of his process and vision, the more confident we became that Ben is the right leader for our team and that he and I will be great partners in building our team and shaping our franchise for long-term success."
The move was initially reported by multiple sources on Monday:
Bear down: Chicago is finalizing a deal to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Bears are getting their man. pic.twitter.com/UwlLk3wNJZ
A new day in Chicago: The #Bears are finalizing a deal to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach, per sources.
Johnson is set to fly there soon and contract parameters are in place. Barring a last-minute snag, the #Lions OC lands with an NFC North rival. pic.twitter.com/Y1i4lRtpw5
The news came one day after Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported the Las Vegas Raiders were preparing to make a "big push" for Johnson.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen is the "leading candidate" to be the Bears' defensive coordinator under Johnson:
Ben Johnson has been busy assembling a star-studded coaching staff. The leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator in Chicago is former Saints HC Dennis Allen, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/iJCbMLJSLe
Bears also are heavily pursuing former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their special teams coach, per sources. He has interest from over a half-dozen teams but if Rizzi doesn’t land a head coaching job, Chicago is his potential landing spot. https://t.co/ErIQmZ3te9
This is the next step in a process that included a number of interviews and went against the way the franchise has operated throughout its history. The Bears fired Matt Eberflus in November, which marked the first time they ever fired a head coach while a season was still ongoing.
Yet Eberflus left them little choice.
Expectations were as high as they've been in years in the Windy City after Chicago drafted Williams with the No. 1 overall pick and surrounded him with an offense that featured DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and D'Andre Swift.
It then felt like playoffs or bust when the team started 4-2, but the word bust is an understated way of describing what happened next.
The Bears were in position to improve to 5-2 with a late lead against the Washington Commanders in Week 8, but Eberflus' defense didn't guard the sidelines on the penultimate play. That allowed an easy completion to move into Hail Mary territory, and Jayden Daniels then connected on a stunning Hail Mary to end the game when Chicago didn't even pressure him.
The NFC North team then lost on the final play of the Week 11 game against the Green Bay Packers when Eberflus didn't run any more plays with a timeout and settled for a 46-yard field goal that was blocked. It also lost on the last play in overtime against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 and again on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions.
Williams took a sack with 32 seconds left against the Lions, and Eberflus didn't call a timeout. The offense struggled to get into position and had time to run just one final desperation incompletion as a result.
Adam Jahns and Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Eberflus had to leave the locker room after an exchange with players, including star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who were upset with him. That loss to the Lions ended up being his final game, and Chicago gave the interim position to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
Brown had already been promoted following the in-season firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and had a de-facto audition in the final five games. The team went just 1-4 in those five games, although it finished on a high note with a road victory over the rival Packers.
Ultimately, this is one of the most important hirings in franchise history.
The optimism that was in place at the start of the 2024 season shouldn't go anywhere, as Williams is still a cornerstone building block and flashed his potential a number of times during his rookie season.
Players such as Moore, Odunze, Kmet, Swift, Johnson, Montez Sweat, T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon, among others, are still under contract heading into the 2025 campaign. If Williams continues to make strides, the talent is in place to make the playoffs as soon as Johnson's first season.
That partnership between Johnson and Williams will be under the spotlight, as this is a franchise that has been starving for a long-term star at quarterback.
The only way the Bears will make up ground against the Packers, Vikings and Lions in a loaded division is if their new hire gets the most out of the quarterback for years to come. Ideally, this will be a partnership that emulates those of other successful coaches and quarterbacks, such as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
It will be up to Johnson to establish that relationship right away.
Fortunately for Chicago, he has an offensive background and is familiar with the division. He helped the Lions become one of the best teams in football as their offensive coordinator the past three seasons in the exact type of franchise turnaround the Bears want.
Chicago hasn't won a playoff game since the 2010 season. By comparison, Detroit hadn't won one since the 1991 season until Johnson's offense accomplished the feat on the way to the NFC Championship Game during the 2023 campaign, though the team stumbled in the NFC Divisional Round this weekend.
Johnson's offense with the Lions was largely unstoppable at its best with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs leading the way.
There are talented playmakers like that in Chicago, and he will look to replicate that success in his first head coaching opportunity.
