The Chicago Bears are not yet done assembling their coaching staff under Ben Johnson, but the first-year head coach has made some impressive hires so far.
We now know enough about this staff to see a trend or two. Johnson has mostly hired assistants and coordinators who have some kind of connection to either Dan Campbell or Sean Payton, and both of those trees are well-worth plucking from.
New wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and quarterbacks coach JT Barrett both come from Detroit, most recently, while offensive coordinator Declan Doyle spent last year as the tight ends coach in Denver under Payton.
The latest hire, Press Taylor, comes from the Jacksonville Jaguars as their offensive coordinator for three seasons but before that, spent a long time with the Philadelphia Eagles and won a Super Bowl there under Doug Pederson.
Taylor comes in as the pass game coordinator and, while he doesn't have a connection with Campbell or Payton, he did receive some head coaching buzz a couple of years ago and brings a lot of experience from a great organization like Philadelphia.
As we near free agency in March, it's helpful to look at potential connections some players might have with these new coaches and coordinators. Who might the Bears staff bring with them from previous teams?
Some of the new Bears offensive staff might bring familiar free agents to Chicago
Kevin Zeitler, G, Detroit Lions
Offensive line is the clear and obvious priority for the Bears this offseason. Kevin Zeitler is nearing 35 years old, but he's someone that could offer Chicago a year of starting if need be. Should they want a backup plan if they somehow don't land a top interior lineman in free agency or the draft, he'd be a sufficient starter.
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Brandon Scherff, G, Jacksonville Jaguars
Another veteran option at guard could be Brandon Scherff with a connection to Taylor. Before he signed his 3-year contract with the Jaguars, Scherff was someone Bears fans wanted to see in Chicago. Not entirely the player he once was, the 33-year-old is still a competent starter who, like Zeitler, would be more of a backup plan.
Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos
There's no telling what the Bears running back room will look like under Johnson. Cutting D'Andre Swift would save Chicago $1 million and Johnson has already been there and done that with the former Lions running back.
Javonte Williams might be a low-risk signing with potential to be part of a one-two punch in Chicago. Would he be paired with Roschon Johnson? Or would Chicago go a completely new direction? This position is an intriguing one to watch during the offseason.
Tim Patrick, WR, Detroit Lions
For the Bears, they might need a reliable no. 3 option with Keenan Allen entering free agency. Tim Patrick is as reliable as they come, when healthy. He's a crafty veteran who will sneak up, out of no where, to make plays just when you need them.
The 31-year-old may have thought his career was over after multiple serious injuries, but proved he can still play last season alongside Randle El in Detroit.
Lucas Krull, TE, Denver Broncos
Finally, the Bears' tight end room might also look very different. They cut could Gerald Everett and save over $5 million in the process, so that seems to be an obvious move. Cole Kmet is the only safe tight end right now. 26-year-old Lucas Krull showed flashes in spare moments last year and the 6-foot-6 tight end could follow Doyle to Chicago and provide some depth.