The Chicago Bears are fresh off an impressive 2025 season, where they went from worst to first with an 11-6 record, winning the NFC North and earning a wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers. And it’s certainly made Ben Johnson’s coaching staff highly-sought after.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Al Harris and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy all drew interest this offseason, with Bieniemy departing to become the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs.
But it seems like the Bears might be catching a break. While Doyle and Harris have been in high demand (with multiple interviews), it appears that Johnson will retain two of his most important assistants for the 2026 season. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, the expectation is that Doyle and Harris will return.
“At this point, the only change they’re going to have is replacing Eric Bieniemy at running backs coach,” Biggs said on 670 the Score. “Declan Doyle probably winds up staying put with the Bears for at least one more season. And Al Harris, I don’t think anything is going to materialize for him in Pittsburgh at this point…But, at this point, I’d expect Declan Doyle and Al Harris back for Ben Johnson’s staff in 2026.”
Harris interviewed for defensive coordinator jobs with the Packers and Washington Commanders, and he was linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive coordinator job with new head coach Mike McCarthy. But all three of those roles have been filled, an indication he’ll return.
Meanwhile, Doyle interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles for their offensive coordinator job and later pulled his name from the race. He did receive an interview request from the Baltimore Ravens for their vacant OC job, but the role has yet to be filled.
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