Bears Eyeing Fired Saints Coach as Ben Johnson's Defensive Coordinator: Report

"The leading candidate to become (Johnson's) defensive coordinator in Chicago is going to be the former Saints head coach, Dennis Allen," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on January 20. "So if you can imagine getting Ben Johnson to run the offense and Dennis Allen to run the defense, that would be quite a combination in Chicago.

"Now, there is a process to go through, but in the end, I do believe Dennis Allen is the leading candidate to become the Bears' next defensive coordinator."

Allen has been out of a job since November when the New Orleans Saints booted him from their head coaching role amid a seven-game losing streak after they started 2-0. While his record as a head coach (18-25) did not hold up over his three years, though, his work as a defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2021 stands the test of time.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Saints ranked fourth in the NFL in both yards and points allowed in the three seasons preceding Allen's leap from defensive coordinator to head coach. 

Allen also runs a 4-3 defense that would theoretically fit the defensive scheme the Bears ran under former head coach Matt Eberflus for the past three seasons. That's appealing considering the Bears have put effort into acquiring players who can thrive in a 4-3 defense.