The winds of change are blowing through Halas Hall, and head coach Ben Johnson’s warning is already proving prophetic: the 2026 Chicago Bears won’t look much like the 2025 version. The first signs of that shift are showing up on the coaching staff.
Eric Bieniemy, who made a strong impression as the Bears’ running backs coach last season, is heading back to familiar territory. He’s set to rejoin the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator - a role he previously held from 2018 to 2022, helping shape one of the league’s most explosive offenses. It’s a big move for Bieniemy and a notable loss for Chicago, but it’s just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a busy offseason for the Bears’ staff.
The first new face to emerge is Will Lawing, who’s leaving his post as offensive coordinator at Boston College to join Johnson’s staff in Chicago. Lawing’s résumé is a mix of college and NFL experience, with previous stops at New England, Alabama, and Houston, where he primarily worked with tight ends. He also happens to be a former teammate of Johnson’s at North Carolina - a connection that may have helped open the door, but doesn’t tell the whole story.
Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien confirmed Lawing’s departure on Tuesday, offering some insight into the move.
“He’s been with me for a long time - he would describe that as dog years,” O’Brien joked. “But he had a great opportunity to go work for Ben.
He went to North Carolina with Ben, and obviously the Bears are doing a great job. So we wish him the best.”
As of now, it’s unclear exactly what role Lawing will take on in Chicago. The running backs coach position is open following Bieniemy’s departure, but Lawing could also slot in elsewhere - perhaps as an assistant tight ends coach under Jim Dray, or in a more general offensive assistant role. There’s also some chatter that wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El could be in line for a promotion elsewhere, which could open up another spot.
Lawing’s background suggests he could be a valuable piece, especially if the Bears are looking to continue developing young tight end Colston Loveland. Lawing played wide receiver in college, but he’s built a coaching career working with tight ends - and he’s had some success.
In Houston, he helped Darren Fells post a career-high seven touchdowns in 2019. And in New England, he worked with Hunter Henry during a productive 2023 season, even amid quarterback instability.
His two-year stint at Boston College was a bit of a rollercoaster. The 2024 season showed promise, with solid quarterback play and a consistent run game.
But the offense took a step back in 2025 after some key personnel losses. Still, Lawing has shown he can coach up talent, and that could prove valuable in Chicago’s evolving offensive system.
This hire does mark a bit of a pivot for Johnson. When he took the Bears’ head coaching job, he made it clear he wasn’t interested in simply hiring friends or familiar faces.
This move, however, does fall into that category - Lawing and Johnson go back to their college playing days. That said, Lawing brings real experience and a track record of working in both college and pro systems.
What remains to be seen is how prominent a role he’ll be given. If Lawing is stepping into Bieniemy’s shoes as running backs coach, that’s a tall order - Bieniemy brought a wealth of experience and a Super Bowl pedigree to the position. If it’s a more developmental or assistant role, Lawing’s addition could be a smart, low-risk move with upside.
Either way, the Bears’ coaching staff is beginning to take shape for 2026. And with Ben Johnson at the helm, every move feels like part of a larger plan. We should know more about Lawing’s exact role in the coming days, but one thing’s already clear: the Bears are moving forward, and the reshaping of this team is well underway.