The Chicago Bears have a new head coach, as the team successfully recruited Ben Johnson away from the Detroit Lions.
Johnson was the leading candidate in this offseason's hiring cycle. Despite recent speculation that Johnson was earmarked for the Las Vegas Raiders, the former Lions' offensive coordinator decided to oversee the development of Caleb Williams as the head coach of the Bears.
One of the most important tasks for any incoming head coach, let alone, a first-time head coach, would be assembling a successful coaching staff. In preparation for becoming a head coach, Johnson was already assembling his staff.
Multiple reports suggest former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen becoming the Bears' defensive coordinator under Johnson.
Ben Johnson has been busy assembling a star-studded coaching staff. The leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator in Chicago is former Saints HC Dennis Allen, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/iJCbMLJSLe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
Before talking about the impact that Allen's arrival will have on the Bears' defense, there is something to be said about the idea of Johnson adding a coordinator to his staff who has head coaching experience. The biggest shortcoming of the Matt Eberflus era for the Bears was that Eberflus was green in terms of in-game management. Complicating matters for Eberflus was the fact he assembled a coaching staff that lacked head coach experience.
Johnson won't be making the same mistake with the addition of Allen to his coaching staff.
In terms of Allen's defensive scheme, the former Saints' head coach runs a 4-3 defense. That is an ideal pairing for the Bears, considering the team operated from a 4-3 base under Eberflus.
Ben Johnson wastes no time in his first coordinator hire as the Chicago Bears' head coach.
With the Bears remaining a 4-3 front, there shouldn't be much in terms of defensive turnover. However, if the defense is going to improve from a 2024 season where they regressed, there will be a need for the defensive line to be stabilized while ensuring the health of the team's secondary.