Ben Johnson continues to progress toward completing his staff as the Chicago Bears will retain tight ends coach Jim Dray and are hiring Eric Bieniemy to oversee the running backs, sources have told the Tribune.
Bieniemy returns to the NFL after serving as the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at UCLA last fall. He had a one-year run as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in 2023. Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018-22, taking that position after Matt Nagy left the Chiefs to become the head coach of the Bears. Bieniemy coached running backs for Andy Reid in Kansas City from 2013-17, so general manager Ryan Poles knows him well.
At one point, Bieniemy, 55, was considered a potential head coach in the NFL. He was part of two Super Bowl champion teams in Kansas City and also had a successful stint coaching running backs for the Minnesota Vikings.
Dray is believed to be the only position coach from Matt Eberflus‘ staff who will remain. He has been with the Bears since 2022 and this figures to be an interesting offseason for the position. The Bears seem unlikely to bring back Marcedes Lewis and there’s a good chance the club releases Gerald Everett, who was signed based on influence from former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
The Bears believed in tight end Cole Kmet’s development under Dray to sign him to a $50 million, four-year extension. Now, the team will be hoping the position can deliver more for the offense in 2025.
The only offensive position coach remaining to be hired is an offensive line coach and Johnson appears to be taking his time. The team interviewed Justin Frye, the Ohio State offensive line coach, and he was hired on Saturday by the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears have also interviewed Tulane offensive line coach Dan Roushar, who had a 10-year run in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. If there isn’t movement soon, another college coaching candidate could emerge.
Johnson moved quickly to fill the coordinator positions, hiring Declan Doyle (offense) and Dennis Allen (defense) and retaining Richard Hightower for special teams. On offense, Johnson has added coaches Antwaan Randle El (wide receivers), J.T. Barrett (quarterbacks) and Press Taylor (passing game coordinator).
Al Harris has been hired as a secondary coach. Bill Johnson has been hired as a senior assistant and will likely be involved with the defensive line. The team still needs to hire defensive line and linebackers coaches.
Originally Published:
