(104.3The Score) Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t hire his friends when he built his coaching staff after being hired by Chicago in January 2025.
Instead, Johnson sought to build a staff that would bring out the best in himself and the Bears – individuals who were experienced, demanding and driven. Whenever he could during his first season on the job, Johnson offered praise for his coaching staff.
"I see future head coaches on this staff, I see future coordinators, I see these young coaches being future position coaches,” Johnson said in January. “I see that all across the board.
“This is a five-star staff.”
With that as context, Johnson wasn’t surprised when 29-year-old offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was recently hired by the Ravens to fill the same position in Baltimore, where he'll get the added responsibility of having play-calling duties. The Bears had anticipated that Doyle wouldn't be on their staff for long.
That's part of the reason that Johnson had assistant Press Taylor by his side as the Bears' passing game coordinator in 2025. Johnson was preparing him to jump in as the new offensive coordinator. And indeed, Taylor has been promoted into that role after Doyle's exit, multiple sources said.
Taylor, 38, worked as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator from 2022-’24 alongside then-coach Doug Pederson. Jacksonville’s offense regressed in that time, though that wasn’t necessarily Taylor's fault. That was also of minimal consideration for Johnson in making this promotion.
The offensive coordinator job alongside Johnson is a complementary role as he calls the plays. It’s a position primarily focused on honing the details for Johnson, who struck the right balance as a play-calling head coach. Taylor is a lieutenant who earned Johnson's trust in his first season with the Bears.
The Bears didn't want to change their offensive identity in any way in filling their offensive coordinator role. Though outside candidates were considered, the Bears' objective was to create continuity.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense made significant strides in 2025 under Johnson's direction. Doyle had a positive impact on the offense, but the Bears weren't concerned about replacing him.
Because of the Bears' structure, Williams will enter his third NFL season – and second year with Johnson – operating the same scheme and concepts, working with the same quarterbacks coach in J.T. Barrett and working with a familiar face in Taylor as the team's offensive coordinator.
For Johnson, there will be comfort in maintaining the balance between leading the Bears and overseeing their offense because he knows Taylor's work and is on the same page with him.
The Bears' goal is to keep this upward cycle moving along, with team success leading to promotions for assistants. Johnson doesn’t fear losing coaches to greener pastures. He invites it.
The Bears are hiring Johnson’s old teammate at North Carolina, former Boston College offensive coordinator Will Lawing, to their coaching staff. He likely will take over as passing game coordinator and be next in line for a promotion. The 31-year-old Barrett is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks and has been pivotal in Williams' growth. And wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El may well become a head coach in the coming years.
Johnson’s five-star staff will continue to produce candidates to climb the coaching ladder, and he's rooting for that to happen in conjunction with Bears success.
Promoting Taylor allows the Bears to keep continuity on offense and illustrates what Johnson hopes will become a trend.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for TheScoreChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.