Good morning!
When asked what drew Ben Johnson to Chicago, he responded with a short and sweet answer about the people in the building. He then smirked and said, “Having a quarterback helps.”
Music to the ears of Bears fans, who watched Caleb Williams flash brilliance without consistency during a relatively disappointing rookie season. Look around the league at the success of Williams’ fellow rookie QBs:
- Jayden Daniels went to the NFC Championship
- Bo Nix led rookie passers in yards and went to the AFC Wild Card
- Drake Maye is going to the Pro Bowl (FWIW, Mitch did as a second-year, too)
Bears fans want to see a winning product, and they want to do it like every other contender: behind the quarterback. That’s why the Bears brought in the game’s top playcaller by EPA/play.
Reject tradition and embrace modernity, right?
Not so fast, my friend. Look ahead to next Sunday: Super Bowl LIX. Patrick Mahomes might end up the greatest quarterback who ever played in the NFL, and Jalen Hurts fits Nick Sirianni’s offense perfectly in Philly. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs and Eagles also ranked No. 1 and No. 2 defensively in the regular season.
Both teams have skilled offensive minds as head coaches. Both teams have exceptional veteran defensive coordinators. Sounds like a decent recipe for success.
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— Patrick Norton
Officially official
Ben Johnson’s lieutenants are officially onboard, and all three will speak to reporters later this morning.
In a statement released on Tuesday announcing the hirings, Johnson said: “As we embark on the next phase of our operation, I am thrilled to welcome Dennis [Allen] and Declan [Doyle] to the Bears, and I am excited that Richard [Hightower] will continue to lead our special teams corps.”
Allen is a big get for Johnson. Despite shortcomings as a head coach, his ability to coach up a defense is undeniable. It’s everything else that has troubled the 52-year-old, resulting in a 26-53 record in the top job.
That makes Allen unlikely to command a third head coaching gig, so any future departure from Chicago would likely be the result of poor performance or retirement. Optimistically, it becomes a Steve Spangnuolo & Kansas City Chiefs-type situation.
Johnson on Dennis Allen:
The Chicago Bears have a storied history on the defensive side of the ball, and Dennis’ experience, leadership and apt for adaptivity will be critical for the development of our players and our team. A great defensive mind with NFL Head Coach acumen, I look forward to Dennis coordinating our defense and helping lead our team.
As for Doyle, nobody really knows a lot about the 28-year-old fast riser. He began his NFL coaching journey with the Saints as an offensive assistant in 2019 and remained in that role through 2022, Allen’s first year as New Orleans’ head coach. He then followed ex-Saints HC Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos, where he served as tight ends coach.
Johnson mentioned during his introductory presser that he needed an offensive coordinator capable of working late hours and grinding tape. Doyle’s youth and experience on Payton’s staff make him a perfect fit for the role. Regardless, Johnson will be the playcaller, so Doyle’s inexperience in that field shouldn’t be an issue any time soon.
Johnson on Declan Doyle:
A sharp, innovative offensive mind, Declan’s work ethic and attitude will be a tremendous asset as we work to build our offensive unit. Declan brings a unique skillset rooted in attention to detail, as well as individual development and collective growth.
Richard Hightower is a big bonus for Johnson’s first staff. Not only is he highly regarded in league circles, but he has also spent four years, including the last three, in Chicago, so he brings an important familiarity with the organization to the table.
Sure, there were moments where the Bears’ special teams unit struggled supremely (in key moments, too), but Hightower always addressed his shortcomings head-on with a certain level of accountability that the rest of the coaching staff often times struggled to display.
After all, a special teams unit is only as good as the roster’s reserves, and Hightower’s squad performed very well toward the end of last season despite dealing with several injuries throughout the team.
Johnson on Richard Hightower:
A phenomenal reputation that precedes him; it has been incredible getting to know Richard and watching from afar how skilled of a coach and how passionate of a leader that he is. I look forward to Richard’s leadership over our special teams units and team as a whole.
Chicago is also expected to add former Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor as the offense’s passing game coordinator, per Ian Rapoport. Taylor served as an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles before rising through the offensive staff’s ranks under head coach Doug Pederson.
When Pederson was fired, Taylor landed with former Eagles OC and Colts HC Frank Reich in Indianapolis (Hey, Matt Eberflus was on that staff, too!). Taylor reunited with Pederson in Jacksonville in 2022 but struggled beyond his first season with the team. The Jaguars finished 26th in the NFL in scoring in 2024, and Pederson was let go.
Cubs introduce ‘The Yard’
Friday 1:20 Club in ‘The Yard’, who says no?
The Cubs unveiled a brand-new bleacher experience on Wednesday that will debut this season at Wrigley Field. Based on renderings, “The Yard” appears to sit atop the centerfield batter’s eye, so the new addition to the outfield seats shouldn’t impact general admission space.
According to Cubs Senior Vice President of Ticketing Cale Vennum, the idea was to “create a space that feels like [a fan’s] own backyard.”
The area can accommodate up to 50 guests, and tickets will be sold to groups of at least four. Additionally, each rental includes a table, a ‘ballpark meal’ for each fan, and a cooler with various beverages for the group.
Does it fit the Budweiser Bleachers vibe? I’ll say this: anybody complaining about this addition cannot be serious. Will it take anything away from the bleacher experience? Probably not! The conversation should end there.
If I could request one addition to “The Yard,” it would be a little more sun protection—maybe a SunSetter Shade or something. Until then, pack your Shady Rays (use code: CHGO).
Nobody’s untouchable.
…except Matas Buzelis, per reports. The Bulls currently hold the ninth spot in the NBA Draft Lottery, which isn’t exactly a lot of wiggle room for a team that must stay in the top ten or else surrender their first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs.
Chicago has the 13th toughest schedule left by remaining opponent strength, but the Bulls could increase their odds of holding onto the pick even more with some roster finagling in the next week. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic…what about Patrick Williams, who was relegated to the bench earlier this week?
🏀 MORE | Will Gottlieb’s Chicago Bulls Trade Deadline Primer
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