🏈 Why Tanner Engstrand Makes Sense as the Bears’ Next Offensive Coordinator. DH

Ben Johnson Could Look to an Old Friend to Replace Declan Doyle

Just one day after losing their assistant general manager to the Atlanta Falcons, the Chicago Bears were hit with another blow: offensive coordinator Declan Doyle officially departed to take the same role with the Baltimore Ravens.

Doyle’s tenure in Chicago lasted just one season, but his impact was undeniable. He quickly earned a league-wide reputation as one of the brightest young offensive minds in football, drawing interest from both the Philadelphia Eagles and Ravens — two of the NFL’s most consistently successful franchises over the past decade.

While Doyle ultimately withdrew from Philadelphia’s search, the opportunity in Baltimore proved too compelling to pass up.

Why Doyle Chose Baltimore

The appeal was simple: play-calling authority and Lamar Jackson.

Doyle was never going to call plays in Chicago as long as Ben Johnson was running the offense. In Baltimore, however, he’ll be the primary architect for a two-time MVP quarterback — and at just 29 years old, Doyle and Jackson are the same age, a rare dynamic that could foster a unique player-coordinator relationship.

Ironically, both are three years younger than Ravens running back Derrick Henry, a reminder that elite production doesn’t always follow conventional age curves — especially at running back.

Chicago Is Still in Good Hands

While Doyle’s departure stings, the Bears are far from destabilized.

As long as Ben Johnson is in charge, Chicago’s offense has a steady foundation. Johnson isn’t just an offensive head coach — he’s the system. He designs the weekly installs, calls the plays, and dictates the structure. That continuity is invaluable for Caleb Williams, who remains the franchise’s long-term priority.

Still, there’s no denying Doyle was an ideal complement to Johnson.

He was widely praised for his meticulous film preparation and served as a vital translator between Johnson’s vision and the rest of the offensive staff. Johnson previously emphasized that film study and opponent scouting were core traits he sought in an offensive coordinator — qualities Doyle embodied.

Replacing that presence won’t be easy.

Tanner Engstrand: A Familiar and Logical Option

One name immediately stands out: Tanner Engstrand.

Engstrand and Johnson worked together for five years in Detroit, where Engstrand rose quickly through the ranks and served as the Lions’ pass game coordinator in 2023 and 2024.

That collaboration helped launch Engstrand into an offensive coordinator role with the New York Jets last season under former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

On paper, the Jets stint looks rough.

New York finished with a bottom-five offense, and Garrett Wilson somehow led the team with just 395 receiving yards, with his final catch coming in early October. The numbers are ugly — but context matters.

Why Engstrand Deserves Another Look

Engstrand inherited a brutal situation.

The Jets’ receiving corps consistently failed to separate, and quarterback Justin Fields has long struggled throwing into tight windows. Those two factors combined make sustained offense nearly impossible — something Bears fans are intimately familiar with.

Blaming Engstrand entirely ignores those structural problems.

Before New York, he was on a trajectory similar to Doyle’s: a rising offensive mind, respected internally, and gaining league attention. The Jets job may have stalled that momentum, but it didn’t erase his football acumen.

Notably, Jets fans themselves have been vocal that Engstrand deserved more time.

Why Chicago Makes Sense for Engstrand

From Engstrand’s perspective, there are only two roles more appealing than play-calling autonomy:

1. Reuniting with Ben Johnson
2. Working with Caleb Williams

Johnson just helped propel Doyle into becoming the youngest play-caller in the NFL after one season. Joining Chicago would allow Engstrand to reset his career in a stable environment, rebuild his reputation, and work within a system he already understands at a deep level.

At 43, Engstrand isn’t rushing the ladder — but this could be the ideal step back before another leap forward.

The Bottom Line

Declan Doyle’s exit hurts, but it doesn’t derail Chicago’s trajectory.

The Bears still have an elite offensive head coach, a franchise quarterback, and now a coordinator opening that should be highly attractive across the league.

If Ben Johnson opts for familiarity, trust, and proven chemistry, Tanner Engstrand checks every box.

Sometimes the best replacement isn’t a flashy new name — it’s the right one.