The Chicago Bears are learning firsthand what happens when success starts to take root: other teams come knocking. Just days after their hard-fought 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, the Bears are already feeling the ripple effects-not on the field, but within their coaching staff.
At the center of it all is running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, who appears to be on the verge of returning to familiar territory. Multiple reports indicate that Bieniemy is expected to take over as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, replacing former Bears head coach Matt Nagy, who's now exploring head coaching opportunities elsewhere.
Bieniemy’s departure would be a significant loss for Chicago, even after just one season under head coach Ben Johnson. His impact on the Bears’ backfield was immediate and undeniable.
D’Andre Swift had the best year of his career under Bieniemy’s guidance, showcasing both explosiveness and consistency. But perhaps the biggest surprise was rookie Kyle Monangai.
A seventh-round pick, Monangai emerged as a legitimate contributor, racking up 783 yards and five touchdowns-production that far exceeded expectations and gave the Bears a valuable one-two punch in the run game.
For Bieniemy, the move makes sense. He brings years of experience as an offensive coordinator at both the college and NFL levels, and the Chiefs clearly saw value in bringing back a familiar face to help steer their offense. But for the Bears, this is likely just the beginning of a broader shakeup.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle could be next. There’s growing buzz that Doyle, a rising name in coaching circles, may be in line for a play-calling OC role elsewhere.
His work with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t go unnoticed-Doyle helped ease Williams’ transition to the NFL and built an offense that played to his strengths. If he gets an offer to run his own offense, it’s hard to imagine him turning it down.
On the defensive side, secondary coach Al Harris is another name drawing attention. Harris played a key role in turning Kevin Byard into an All-Pro and helped backup corner Nahshon Wright lead the league in turnovers. That kind of production from the secondary doesn’t happen by accident, and teams in need of a defensive coordinator are bound to take notice.
It’s a testament to what Ben Johnson built in just his first year at the helm. Assembling a staff that not only helped the Bears return to playoff relevance but is now being poached by other teams?
That’s the kind of problem every franchise wants to have. It means you hired the right people.
Still, for Bears fans, this offseason could bring a wave of change. As the coaching carousel spins, expect more names from Chicago’s staff to be in the mix for bigger roles elsewhere. The Bears are building something real-but keeping it intact might be the next big challenge.