The Chicago Bears are finally where they wanted to be—relevant, respected, and quietly feared. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the franchise has shed years of instability and replaced it with structure, patience, and results. A playoff run confirmed what fans had begun to believe: this team is close.
Yet beneath the optimism, something feels unfinished.
Johnson has navigated the 2025 season without major disruption to his coaching staff, a rarity in today’s NFL. Continuity has been one of Chicago’s biggest strengths. But there is one absence that hasn’t been addressed publicly, and its silence is growing louder with each passing week.
Eric Bieniemy is no longer in Chicago.
His departure came swiftly, almost clinically. After the Bears’ emotional divisional-round loss, Bieniemy returned to Kansas City to resume his familiar role as offensive coordinator. There were no public explanations, no dramatic statements—just a vacancy left behind.
And that vacancy matters.
The Bears’ rushing attack became a stabilizing force this season. D’Andre Swift delivered career-best numbers, while Kyle Monangai emerged as a dependable, physical presence.
Together, they helped balance an offense that no longer relied on chaos to survive. Bieniemy’s influence was felt not through headlines, but through consistency.
So why hasn’t his replacement been announced?
Inside league circles, the delay doesn’t suggest confusion—it suggests patience. Ben Johnson is not scrambling. He’s waiting for the right fit, not the fastest one. And sometimes, patience hints at something more deliberate.
That’s where a familiar name quietly resurfaced.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune mentioned Eric Studesville as a potential candidate—an understated suggestion that carries more weight than it appears.
Studesville isn’t just a former Bears coach from the late 1990s. He’s someone Johnson has worked with closely before, someone who understands the rhythm and restraint of Johnson’s offensive philosophy.
Studesville’s recent résumé only adds intrigue. Eight seasons with Miami, multiple leadership roles, and a reputation for developing running backs without unnecessary noise. Most notably, he helped guide De’Von Achane through a breakout 2025 campaign, transforming speed into sustained production.
Now, with the Dolphins entering a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley, Studesville’s future is uncertain. And uncertainty creates opportunity.
For Chicago, this isn’t about star power. It’s about continuity. Swift and Monangai don’t need reinvention—they need refinement. They need someone who can build quietly on what already works, without disrupting the balance Johnson has fought to establish.
Still, nothing has been confirmed. No meetings announced. No public interest acknowledged. Just silence.
And silence in the NFL is rarely accidental.
As the Bears move closer to legitimate Super Bowl contention, every small decision carries more weight. Coaching hires that once felt routine now feel strategic. The margin for error has narrowed.
So the question isn’t whether Eric Studesville would fit in Chicago. It’s whether Ben Johnson believes the past holds the key to protecting the future.
And if that phone call is made, it won’t be loud—but it might say everything.
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