📢 TOP STORY: Chicago Waited. Atlanta Acted. And the Bears’ Plans Just Got Murkier ⚡.DH

For weeks, Tanner Engstrand’s name hovered over Chicago like an unfinished sentence.

Whenever the Bears’ vacant offensive coordinator job came up, his résumé was the first one fans connected to the dots. Familiarity with Ben Johnson.

Detroit ties. Recent coordinator experience. On paper, it all lined up cleanly—almost too cleanly.

Then, without warning, the speculation evaporated.

Engstrand is headed to Atlanta.

On Saturday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Engstrand accepted a position as the Falcons’ passing game coordinator, joining head coach Kevin Stefanski’s new staff under general manager Ian Cunningham.

The hire immediately ended any lingering belief that Engstrand was a serious candidate for Chicago’s offensive coordinator role.

And in hindsight, the signs were there.

Engstrand’s availability stemmed from his exit in New York, where the Jets began reshuffling their offensive staff under Aaron Glenn.

Reports indicated Engstrand would no longer have play-calling duties and was not interested in staying in a diminished role.

That context fueled the Chicago rumors—after all, Ben Johnson doesn’t delegate play-calling either.

But that may have been the very reason Chicago was never truly in play.

The Bears’ offensive coordinator position is not a play-calling job. Declan Doyle, who left for Baltimore earlier this offseason, operated without that responsibility.

Anyone stepping into the role would be assisting Johnson, not running the offense independently. For a coach seeking clarity and influence, that structure matters.

Engstrand choosing another passing game coordinator role—rather than holding out for a coordinator title—suggests one of two things.

Either Chicago never offered the job, or the role itself never aligned with what Engstrand wanted next.

Both possibilities quietly challenge the narrative that he was the Bears’ top target.

The Detroit connection made sense emotionally, but emotionally neat stories don’t always reflect internal plans.

Johnson may already have someone else in mind—or may be content building his staff incrementally rather than chasing big names.

Atlanta, meanwhile, offered something different. A fresh offensive reset under Stefanski. A front office led by Ian Cunningham, a familiar face from Chicago’s past.

And perhaps most importantly, a clear lane to influence a passing offense without ambiguity about authority.

With Engstrand off the board, Chicago’s coordinator picture looks less defined—and more internal.

Names still floating around include Bears quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, and passing game coordinator Press Taylor.

Detroit ties remain possible as well, with Lions QB coach Mark Brunell mentioned as a potential option. None, however, have been linked by sourced reports. At this stage, everything remains speculative.

The Bears have added former Boston College offensive coordinator Will Lawing to the staff, though his role hasn’t been clarified.

His longstanding friendship with Johnson and shared college history only adds to the intrigue—but not clarity.

That ambiguity may be intentional.

Chicago isn’t chasing headlines this offseason. They’re protecting continuity. After a breakthrough 2025 season, the priority isn’t reinvention—it’s preservation.

Johnson calling plays ensures offensive identity stays intact, regardless of who fills the coordinator title.

Engstrand’s move to Atlanta doesn’t expose a failure by Chicago. It exposes an assumption.

The Bears weren’t necessarily “close” to landing him. They were simply the easiest dot to connect.

Now that dot is gone—and the search continues, quieter than before.