The Chicago Bears are coming off a dream 2025 season, but as any contender knows, staying on top takes just as much work as getting there. With the coaching carousel already spinning and key staffers being picked off by other teams, head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles are wasting no time reshaping their staff-and their roster-for another run in 2026.
One of the first big moves came Thursday morning, when longtime NFL assistant Eric Studesville was hired as the Bears’ new running backs coach. Studesville brings nine seasons of experience from Miami, where he helped develop a diverse group of backs into consistent contributors.
His familiarity with Johnson-dating back to their time together in Detroit during the 2017 and 2018 seasons-likely played a role in the hire. But this move isn’t just about filling a vacancy; it could have ripple effects across the Bears’ entire offseason strategy.
Studesville’s Arrival Could Help Lure Breece Hall to Chicago
The Bears’ interest in Breece Hall isn’t exactly a secret. The 24-year-old back is one of the top names in this year’s free agent class after posting his first 1,000-yard season with the Jets in 2025. While Hall’s production finally matched his potential, his future in New York remains uncertain-and Chicago is suddenly looking like a very appealing destination.
Enter Studesville. Over nearly a decade in Miami, he’s worked with just about every type of back you can think of.
From Kenyan Drake and Jay Ajayi to Myles Gaskin and De’Von Achane, Studesville has consistently helped his backs find their stride. He even squeezed 722 rushing yards out of a 35-year-old Frank Gore back in 2018, and more recently, helped Raheem Mostert lead the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
That kind of résumé matters, especially to a player like Hall, who’s shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t quite put it all together over four seasons in New York. In Chicago, he’d be walking into a situation with a proven offensive line, a creative play-caller in Johnson, and now, a position coach with a track record of maximizing talent. If Hall is looking for a place to take the next step, this setup checks a lot of boxes.
Chicago’s Backfield Picture: Talented, but Uncertain
The Bears were one of the league’s most effective rushing teams in 2025, finishing third in both rushing yards per game (144.5) and yards per carry (4.9). That success was largely powered by D’Andre Swift, who posted his second career 1,000-yard season and found the end zone a career-high nine times. But Swift just turned 27, and with one year left on his three-year, $24 million deal, his future in Chicago is far from guaranteed.
The Bears could save $7.4 million by releasing Swift after June 1, according to OverTheCap. That’s the kind of cap flexibility that could come into play if they decide to make a splash in free agency-and Hall would certainly qualify as that.
Then there’s Kyle Monangai, the rookie who showed promise early in the year before hitting the proverbial rookie wall down the stretch. He still finished with 783 yards and five touchdowns, a solid foundation for a young back. In Johnson’s offense, there’s room for multiple contributors, and Monangai’s development under Studesville could be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch next season.
Hall Won’t Come Cheap-But He Might Be Worth It
Spotrac projects Hall’s market value at $10.4 million per year, so this wouldn’t be a bargain-bin signing. But for a team that’s built to win now and has a top-tier rushing attack already in place, the price might be worth paying. Hall’s combination of speed, vision, and receiving ability would add another layer of explosiveness to an already potent offense.
And if Hall decides to go elsewhere? The Bears’ setup-coaching, scheme, offensive line-still makes them an attractive destination for other top backs like Kenneth Walker III or Travis Etienne. Studesville’s presence only strengthens that pitch.
The Bears have made their first big move of the offseason, and it’s a smart one. Now, it’s up to the front office to see if they can turn that move into a marquee signing. If Breece Hall is connecting the dots, Chicago might just be the perfect place for his next chapter.