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Former Ohio State Star J.T. Barrett Lands New NFL Coaching Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 1:07 PM ET

Don't look now, but J.T. Barrett is quickly rising up the coaching ranks.

Barrett, a former quarterback for Ohio State, had a great run in Columbus from 2014-2017. He completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 9,434 yards with 104 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. Not only did he win the Kellen Moore Award in 2017, he was named the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year three times.

After leaving Ohio State in 2018, Barrett started his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. He had multiple stints with the franchise despite never appearing in a game.

In 2022, Barrett officially made the transition from player to coach, joining the Detroit Lions' staff as an offensive assistant. He was then promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023.

On Friday night, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Barrett is taking the next step in his coaching career. He's reportedly leaving the Lions to become the quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears. It's not a huge surprise that he was on their radar. After all, he worked with Ben Johnson in Detroit for multiple years.

"A big get for Ben Johnson and his new staff, as Barrett - the former Ohio State star - was very well liked inside the Detroit building," Schultz said.

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

If all goes well in Chicago, there's a good chance Barrett can become an offensive coordinator somewhere else in the NFL. But first, he'll have to prove he can develop Caleb Williams as a passer.

Williams has not yet offered his thoughts on this hire. He did, however, make it clear that he's pumped about Johnson taking over the Bears.

"[It] brings a bunch of clarity to the offseason. It brings a bunch of different things to the offseason," Williams said. "And I'm really excited about obviously the Bears and being able to make this happen, and keeping Ben Johnson as our coach for a long time."

Johnson is hoping to bring the Bears back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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