The Chicago Bears’ search for a new offensive coordinator is still simmering beneath the surface, with few concrete developments and even fewer confirmed names. What we do know: Declan Doyle is out, and head coach Ben Johnson has kept things close to the vest since his departure.
The only external candidate publicly linked to the job so far is Cardinals passing game coordinator Connor Senger. But this week, a new wrinkle emerged-this time from inside Halas Hall.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Press Taylor, the Bears’ current passing game coordinator, is now in the mix for the OC role.
Taylor, who joined Chicago’s staff last offseason, hadn’t been on many shortlists for promotion. In fact, his name had largely faded into the background-until now. And while the idea of promoting from within often signals continuity and familiarity, Taylor’s track record in elevated roles raises some valid concerns.
Let’s rewind to his time in Philadelphia. Taylor was promoted to quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2018, a move that coincided with a sharp downturn in Carson Wentz’s career trajectory.
Wentz went from MVP-level play in 2017 to a player struggling with mechanics, decision-making, and overall consistency by 2020. That regression played a significant role in the eventual firing of then-head coach Doug Pederson-who, notably, had pushed hard to elevate Taylor in the first place.
Fast forward to Jacksonville, where Pederson brought Taylor along again, this time naming him the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator in 2022. The early returns were promising.
Trevor Lawrence took a significant step forward in his second year, throwing 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions and earning a Pro Bowl nod. But that momentum didn’t last.
Over the next two seasons, Lawrence’s numbers dipped-31 touchdowns against 21 interceptions-and the offense as a whole struggled to find rhythm or identity. And while Taylor wasn’t the primary play-caller in Jacksonville, he was responsible for designing and organizing the offensive structure.
The results speak for themselves.
So what does this mean for the Bears? Promoting Taylor to offensive coordinator would be a gamble-especially with a young quarterback like Caleb Williams expected to take the reins in 2026.
Taylor’s background as a former quarterback and QB coach does offer some value in a support role. He can help shape the passing game and mentor Williams without the added pressure of leading the entire offense.
But history suggests that giving him the keys to the whole operation might be asking too much.
It’s also worth noting that Rapoport didn’t frame Taylor as the frontrunner. If anything, it sounds like Johnson is still leaning toward bringing in an outside voice-just as he did with Doyle last year. That would align with Johnson’s reputation for building diverse, collaborative offensive staffs rather than relying on familiar faces.
The clock is ticking. The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off on February 23, and ideally, the Bears will have their new offensive coordinator in place before then. That timeline gives the incoming OC a chance to get up to speed with the coaching staff, evaluate personnel, and begin shaping the offense around their future franchise quarterback.
For now, the Bears’ OC search remains a quiet but critical storyline to watch. Whether they stick with someone already in the building or look outward for fresh ideas, the decision will have ripple effects on the most important phase of their rebuild: developing Caleb Williams into the face of the franchise.