The Chicago Bears just got the kind of break every NFL team hopes for in the offseason - they’re keeping a key piece of their coaching staff. After already losing top assistant Eric Bieniemy, who took the offensive coordinator job in Kansas City, it looked like more dominoes might fall.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle drew interest from both the Eagles and Ravens. But the real concern?
Al Harris.
Harris, the Bears’ secondary coach, has been nothing short of essential to the team’s defensive success. He played a major role in developing Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright into Pro Bowlers this season, and his fingerprints are all over the growth of Chicago’s defensive backfield. So when four teams came calling about defensive coordinator interviews, the alarm bells in Halas Hall were ringing.
Green Bay, Dallas, and Washington all explored the possibility before moving on. But the real threat came from Pittsburgh.
The Steelers, now led by new head coach Mike McCarthy, had a strong connection to Harris - the two worked together during their time in both Green Bay and Dallas. If there was one team that could’ve pried Harris away, it was Pittsburgh.
But in a stroke of good fortune for Chicago, the Steelers appear to be going in a different direction. According to insider Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh is set to hire Patrick Graham as their new defensive coordinator. Graham, 47, brings experience from his time running defenses in Las Vegas, Miami, and New York, and his addition likely takes Harris off their radar.
Which means, barring any surprise moves, Al Harris is staying put.
That’s a huge win for the Bears - and not just because of what Harris has done, but because of what lies ahead. The team is staring down a secondary overhaul this offseason, with four safeties and a top cornerback headed for free agency.
New blood is coming, likely through the draft, and having Harris in the building to mold those young players is critical. His ability to teach, connect, and elevate talent isn’t just a bonus - it’s a competitive advantage.
Let’s be real here: Harris should already be wearing a headset as a defensive coordinator - maybe even a head coach. He’s earned that kind of respect around the league.
He’s got a Super Bowl ring from his time with the Chiefs, and wherever he goes, players buy in. They trust him, and more importantly, they play their best under him.
So for the Bears to keep him in a position coach role? That’s a steal. And they know it.
In a league where coaching turnover is constant and continuity is rare, Chicago just held onto one of its most valuable assets. It’s the kind of retention that doesn’t make headlines in the same way a free agent signing or trade might, but make no mistake - this could be one of the most important moves of the Bears’ offseason.
Sometimes, staying the course is the best move you can make.