The Chicago Bears are finally breathing some rarefied air. After years of false starts and quarterback woes, they’ve turned the corner in a big way-claiming the NFC North title, winning a playoff game, and, perhaps most importantly, watching their quarterback take a major developmental leap. It’s been a long time coming in Chicago, and a lot of that credit goes to head coach Ben Johnson, whose arrival has clearly shifted the franchise's trajectory.
But with success comes attention-and in the NFL, that often means your coaching staff becomes a target. That’s exactly what happened when offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was hired away by the Baltimore Ravens. It left a key vacancy on a staff that’s been instrumental in the Bears’ offensive resurgence.
Rather than look outside the building, the Bears are opting for continuity. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they’re promoting passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator.
Taylor, the younger brother of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, has been around the league and brings a wealth of experience to the role. But this hire isn’t without some baggage-and it’s raising eyebrows in some corners of the league.
Taylor’s résumé includes stints as offensive coordinator with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars. On paper, that kind of experience should be a plus.
But the context matters. In both cases, his presence on the staff became a point of contention.
In Philadelphia, Taylor’s role under head coach Doug Pederson became a sticking point-so much so that the organization reportedly urged Pederson to move on from him. Pederson didn’t, and both were eventually shown the door.
A similar story played out in Jacksonville, where Pederson again stuck with Taylor, only for the offense to sputter and the regime to end prematurely.
So, naturally, there’s some concern about bringing that history into Chicago. But here’s the key difference: Taylor won’t be calling plays.
That responsibility stays with Ben Johnson, who has made it clear this is his offense. That distinction matters.
Taylor’s previous struggles were tied directly to his play-calling duties. In this new role, he’ll be more of a lieutenant than a general-tasked with helping execute Johnson’s vision, not crafting it himself.
And from that perspective, the move makes more sense. Promoting from within maintains some continuity for a young quarterback who’s finally finding his footing.
Taylor already knows the system, the personnel, and the expectations. That familiarity could be crucial as the Bears look to build on their 2025 success.
Is this the flashiest hire? No.
And yes, there’s some risk attached, given Taylor’s past stops. But in a supporting role-where the offensive identity is firmly in Johnson’s hands-Taylor has a chance to be a stabilizing force rather than a disruptive one.
The Bears are betting that structure and leadership matter more than titles. If Johnson continues to steer the offense and Taylor stays in his lane, this move could quietly pay off.