The Chicago Bears coaching staff has yet to be finalized under new head coach Ben Johnson, but things are starting to come together. Johnson’s first season as the Bears lead man will be one of extreme optimism, as the franchise’s future has never looked brighter. He has already run into a hiccup in assembling in his staff in the fashion of not being able to bring in Hank Fraley from the Lions coaching staff.
Regardless of who fills the open positions that remain on Johnson’s first staff in Chicago, all openings should remain highly coveted. The early odds on favorite to be the Bears’ new defensive coordinator is Dennis Allen.
The 52-year-old spent the last two-plus seasons as the head coach in New Orleans before being fired midseason. Per a report, it is Allen’s replacement with the Saints that will now not be coming over to Chicago.
The Chicago Bears are not expected to hire Darren Rizzi
After early hopes were for the Bears to pursue Darren Rizzi along with Allen to join Johnson’s staff, those dreams were officially dashed on Thursday. The latest report shows that Chicago will retain current special teams coordinator, Richard Hightower.
Sources: Bears and Darren Rizzi not expected to happen. Bears expected to keep respected Richard Hightower as ST coordinator.
Lends lil more hope Broncos can land Rizzi but nothing imminent or decided. Rizzi in play for HC with Saints and possibly Raiders. Has other STC options.— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) January 23, 2025
Rizzi impressed the football world with his passion and intensity during his brief stint as the Saints’ interim head coach. That tryout has earned him plenty of looks across the league, and unfortunately things will just not work out for him in Chicago.
Hightower has been he Bears special teams coordinator since 2022 after spending the previous four seasons in the same role with San Francisco. He will serve as a familiar face in the building to returning players and an in-house guide to getting Johnson settled into life at Halas Hall.
Chicago Bears just gave Ben Johnson an offensive lineman
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