Ben Johnson's coaching staff is beginning to come into focus.
The first hires made by Johnson were completed on Friday when the first-year head coach added Al Harris, Antwaan Randle El, and J.T. Barrett to his coaching staff. Each of those three took positional coach roles under Johnson with the Bears, though, Randle El has the included title of assistant head coach.
It would seem in the coming days that the coordinator roles will be revealed.
It's safe to assume that Richard Hightower will return as the Bears' Special Teams coordinator. Despite previous interest in Darren Rizzi, it seems that the Bears are comfortable with Hightower returning despite some notable Special Teams' blunders last season.
Ben Johnson's coaching staff is beginning to take shape.
All signs continue to point in the direction of Dennis Allen being the next defensive coordinator. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune confirmed as much. Allen was among the first coaches rumored to be joining the Bears' staff but it's important to note that the team still has to be compliant with NFL rules, including satisfying the Rooney Rule for coordinator hires.
As for offensive coordinator, there seem to be four candidates. According to Biggs, the Bears have expressed interest in David Shaw, Denver Broncos' tight ends coach Declan Doyle, Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree, and Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork.
Of those four, the Bears already spoke with Shaw earlier this offseason. Shaw was among the candidates who interviewed for the Bears' head coach vacancy prior to Johnson being hired. The fact that the Bears are circling back on Shaw speaks to the team being interested in what he likely outlined for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Chances are by the end of the week, Johnson's coaching staff will be in place with the focus shifting to player evaluations.