
The Chicago Bears had a great season in 2025 under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. He was formerly the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions and helped lead the Bears to an 11-6 record.
This season was the Bears' best since 2018 and only their second season with double-digit wins since 2013. They made it to the playoffs and defeated the Green Bay Packers in the first round. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round, with a final score of 20-17 in overtime.
After the season, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle chose to leave Chicago to become the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. As a result, Johnson, who calls the plays, had to find a new offensive coordinator in Chicago.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, the Bears have decided to promote Press Taylor, their passing game coordinator, to the position of offensive coordinator. Taylor began his NFL career as an offensive quality control coach for the Eagles in 2013. He later progressed to become the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for Philadelphia in 2020.
He served as a senior offensive assistant with the Colts in 2021 before he received his first opportunity as an offensive coordinator with the Jaguars from 2022 to 2024. Under head coach Doug Pederson, Taylor led an offense that ranked 10th in both points and yards in his first year, during which he was responsible for calling plays in the second halves of games.
He subsequently became the full-time play-caller, but Jacksonville saw a decline in performance. The offense ranked 13th in both scoring and yards in 2023, but dropped to 25th in scoring and 26th in yards during Taylor's final season.
The promotion of Taylor signals continuity for a Bears team that believes it is close to sustained contention. After an 11–6 season and a playoff win, Chicago’s offensive identity under Johnson showed real growth, particularly with Caleb Williams taking command of the unit. Keeping a familiar voice in the building minimizes disruption while allowing Johnson to maintain overall control of the scheme.
Still, Taylor’s track record introduces intrigue. His early success in Jacksonville showed he can oversee a productive offense, but the late decline during his tenure raises questions about adaptability and long-term consistency. For Chicago, this move appears to be a calculated bet that Taylor’s experience, paired with Johnson’s play-calling and Williams’ continued development, can elevate the offense rather than stall it.
Looking ahead, the Bears will enter the 2026 season with momentum and expectations. How quickly Taylor meshes in his new role will be closely watched, beginning with offseason workouts and training camp, as Chicago prepares to build on its first playoff run in years rather than regress after a breakthrough season.
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