New Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson added Declan Doyle to his coaching staff Tuesday, announcing that the 28-year-old will serve as his offensive coordinator. The young Doyle represents an opposite approach to the hire of Dennis Allen, who was named the team’s defensive coordinator Tuesday. Doyle has been in the NFL coaching community for six seasons. He spent four seasons in New Orleans as an offensive assistant with Allen as his head coach. He then spent two years in Denver as a tight ends coach before getting the call from Johnson to become the youngest coordinator in the league.
At just 28, Doyle would figure to be one of the more surprising coaching hires during this cycle, yet sources in the league are not taken aback by the hire. Doyle has demonstrated the requisite coaching chops to earn a stellar reputation and high praise from people in the league. Johnson is hoping that Doyle can contribute to a revamped offensive philosophy for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense.
Declan Doyle Named Chicago Bears OC
The Chicago Bears finalized an agreement with Denver Broncos Tight Ends Coach Declan Doyle to become the team’s new offensive coordinator under Johnson. Doyle, 28, becomes the youngest coordinator in the NFL. His relationship to New Orleans and the Sean Payton coaching tree connected him to Johnson and the Chicago Bears. It led to him reuniting with his former boss and Allen. Doyle will not be calling plays for Chicago this season.
Johnson had high praise for his new offensive coordinator, saying in a statement of Doyle, “A sharp, innovative offensive mind, Declan’s work ethic and attitude will be a tremendous asset as we work to build our offensive unit. Declan brings a unique skillset rooted in attention to detail, as well as individual development and collective growth.”
Johnson isn’t the only fan of Doyle’s. Nicholas Moreano spoke to multiple league executives at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL on Tuesday afternoon and got some intriguing feedback on Declan Doyle. Here is what someone close to Doyle said about the new Bears offensive coordinator. “He’s going to be a head coach in the next two or three years would be my guess.” Here is what someone else said about Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. “He should’ve been the youngest OC ever. That is how highly I think of Declan Doyle.”
Even though Doyle won’t be calling plays on Sundays for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense, he will be a crucial member of this team and largely responsible for their improvement. With as much praise and adoration as he garners from those around the league, he is going to be given great responsibility to guide this offense. It is true especially with Johnson needing to acclimate to his new head coaching duties. Doyle’s ability to coach the offense during the week and support them on game days can go a long way for this team in 2025.
Final Thoughts
This is a good move by Johnson in my estimation. As an offensive guru who will still be calling plays as a head coach, bringing in a protege who is hungry to learn and improve as a coach in a new role is a good fit. Adding a veteran coordinator with skins on the wall in the NFL would’ve been redundant with Johnson at the helm.
With Doyle as the offensive coordinator, the Chicago Bears have one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in coaching circles at their disposal. For Johnson to be able to retain the play sheet and also entrust the day-to-day offensive operation to Doyle is a great help to a first-time head coach.
If Doyle ends up rising through the ranks as quickly as some are speculating, then he could be on the move in a couple of seasons. By then the hope is that Johnson will be entrenched as the Chicago Bears head coach and familiar enough with the role to feel comfortable bringing in another offensive mind. For the time being, Doyle portends to be an excellent fit as the Bears’ OC right now. In 2025 Doyle will seek to exhibit why he got this job and is garnering the attention he has from around the NFL.
