Chicago Bears assistant named rising head coaching candidate to watch

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Nov 19, 2025 3:25 PM ET

The Chicago Bears‘ hiring of Ben Johnson was heralded as the best of last offseason’s hiring cycle, and one of the first-year head coach’s assistants could be poised to follow in his footsteps.

Johnson has helped spark an offensive renaissance in the Windy City, powered by the league’s No. 2-ranked rushing attack and the emergence of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams as a legitimate playmaker with his legs, while also setting a 4,000-plus-passing-yard pace in his second NFL season, have the Bears atop the NFC North standings.

At this rate, beyond postseason aspirations this season, Johnson may be on the cusp of his own coaching tree sprouting branches.

Chicago Bears’ Declan Doyle named potential head coaching candidate

NFL: Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle answers questions after rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn

Even though Johnson calls the plays, and it is his system powering the Bears’ offense, teams across the league may want to import their own version of Chicago’s scheme in the years ahead.

According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is one of the top names to watch, in future years, when teams are looking for their next head coach.

In an era where offensive coaches and coordinators often rise to the top of teams’ target boards, it’s easy to see why Doyle is so well regarded.

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Through Johnson’s first 11 weeks as Bears head coach, Chicago ranks No. 4 in the league in total offense, averaging 373.8 yards per game, are second in rushing, at 146.6 yards per contest, and are averaging 25.8 points per game.

Similar to how both Johnson and former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were hired as head coaches last winter, in hopes of importing some of what helped Dan Campbell craft a culture that is the envy of the league and pieces of the Lions’ offensive and defensive systems, Doyle could similarly benefit in the years ahead.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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