The Chicago Bears are heading into a pivotal offseason, and while they've taken some hits on the coaching front, they just caught a much-needed break on the defensive side of the ball.
After losing two key assistants - Eric Bieniemy heading to Kansas City and Declan Doyle taking the offensive coordinator job in Baltimore - head coach Ben Johnson is already facing the challenge of filling important roles on his staff. But at least one name won’t be added to the departure list: Al Harris.
That’s a big win for Chicago.
Harris, the Bears’ defensive backs coach, had drawn serious interest from around the league. Four teams brought him in for defensive coordinator interviews, and for a while, it looked like Chicago might be bracing for a third major coaching loss.
But in a fortunate turn, all four clubs went in different directions. Unless something changes late in the game, Harris is staying put.
And that’s not just good news - it could be crucial.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Bears’ secondary thrived this past season. Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright both earned Pro Bowl nods, and the unit as a whole played with discipline, toughness, and smarts - all hallmarks of a Harris-coached group.
But Harris’ value goes beyond what he brings on Sundays. He might be one of the Bears’ biggest assets heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Here’s why.
The Bears are staring down a major roster challenge at safety. Four of their safeties - including both starters - are set to hit free agency.
It’s unlikely they’ll be able to retain all of them, and early expectations suggest Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson could be on their way out.
With limited cap space, Chicago probably won’t be able to plug both holes through free agency. That puts the spotlight squarely on the draft.
And here’s where Harris becomes even more valuable.
Drafting safeties is no walk in the park. It’s one of the trickier positions to evaluate, and veteran scouts will tell you - it takes a sharp eye and a lot of film.
One assistant GM put it bluntly: “For a 65-play game, they don’t do (crap) for 40 plays.” That’s not a knock on safeties - it’s a reflection of how nuanced the position is.
A safety’s impact often comes down to subtle details: eye discipline, leverage, route recognition, and how well they understand the entire defensive concept.
It's not just about speed or athleticism. A guy might run a 4.4 and still be a liability if he doesn’t understand what he’s seeing.
That’s why having someone like Harris in the room is so important. He’s been around the game for nearly three decades, both as a player and a coach.
He’s seen what greatness looks like - from Brian Dawkins to Eric Berry - and he knows how to spot it in young players.
With the Bears likely targeting a safety in the draft, Harris’ experience could make all the difference. He’s not just a coach; he’s a talent evaluator with a deep understanding of the position’s demands. That’s exactly the kind of voice you want in the draft room when you’re trying to find a long-term answer in the secondary.
Even if Kevin Byard sticks around, he’s in his mid-30s. Chicago needs youth at the position - someone who can grow into a foundational piece on defense. With Harris helping guide the process, the Bears have a better shot at finding that guy.
So yes, losing Bieniemy and Doyle stings. But keeping Al Harris? That might be one of the Bears’ most important offseason moves - and it didn’t even require a contract negotiation.