New Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson has made a bold, unconventional move by entrusting the crucial role of Offensive Coordinator to 29-year-old Declan Doyle. This surprising partnership is at the heart of Johnson’s ambitious plan to sculpt a dynamic offense around quarterback Caleb Williams, with early returns showing promising signs for a franchise eager for a turnaround.
The Chicago Bears’ appointment of Ben Johnson as head coach on January 22, 2025, sent ripples of excitement through the Windy City. Johnson, coveted after orchestrating one of the NFL’s most potent offenses for the Detroit Lions, arrived at Halas Hall with a clear vision: transform a “loaded” roster and develop the promising, yet raw, talent of quarterback Caleb Williams. His commitment to building the offense from “the studs” up, tailored specifically for Williams, marked a new chapter. However, one of Johnson’s most intriguing decisions was the choice of his offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle, a first-timer at just 29 years old.
This youthful pairing represents a significant departure from conventional NFL coaching hires, where experience often trumps all. Yet, for Johnson, who plans to maintain play-calling duties, Doyle’s intellectual alignment and meticulous approach made him the ideal candidate. This deep dive explores why Johnson placed such profound trust in Doyle, how their collaborative approach is shaping Caleb Williams’ development, and what it means for the Bears’ quest for sustained success in the competitive NFC North.
Declan Doyle: The ‘Other Ben Johnson’ Architecting the Bears’ Offense
At 29, Declan Doyle stands as one of the youngest offensive coordinators in recent NFL history, with only Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay earning the title at an earlier age. What makes Doyle’s ascent even more remarkable is that he had no prior working relationship with Ben Johnson or the Bears organization. Yet, those who have worked with both men recognize the synergy. Lions offensive coordinator John Morton famously told Johnson during his search, “Ben, listen: He’s another Ben Johnson.” Johnson himself agreed, noting, “He thinks very much like me,” as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Doyle’s extensive background, despite his age, speaks volumes. His coaching journey began at 20 as an offensive student assistant at the University of Iowa, followed by a stint as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton, where he focused on the tight end room. It was here he helped transition players like Juwan Johnson from receiver to NFL tight end and developed Adam Trautman from FCS ball to the professional level, earning a reputation for detailed player development. His father, Chris Doyle, a former strength coach, recalls Declan drawing plays and strategizing with football helmets as young as five years old, suggesting a “genuine calling early on.” Chris Doyle later separated from Iowa in 2020 following player allegations of mistreatment, a detail reported by Yahoo Sports.
Before joining the Bears, Doyle served as the Broncos’ tight ends coach, once again under Sean Payton, who was consistently impressed by Doyle’s command of the game. Payton described Doyle’s presence as, “Right away, if you’re a player or a coach, you’re like, ‘This guy knows his s***.'” This level of trust and respect from seasoned NFL figures underscores why Johnson made such an unconventional, yet seemingly inspired, hire.
Reshaping Caleb Williams: A New Offensive Blueprint
The primary mandate for Ben Johnson’s new staff is clear: maximize the potential of Caleb Williams. Williams’ rookie year was undeniably turbulent, highlighted by a league-high 68 sacks for 466 lost yards, as verified by NFL.com statistics. Johnson and Doyle are tasked with instilling greater consistency and efficiency, addressing “steps skipped” in Williams’ initial training that led to bad habits, according to General Manager Ryan Poles.
The new offensive philosophy is a departure from Williams merely relying on his innate “superhero” ability to make plays out of structure. Instead, the focus is on a structured, adaptable system that leverages Williams’ talent within precise parameters. Key aspects of this blueprint include:
- Foundation First: Johnson plans to start by reviewing Williams’ 2024 film to understand his mental processes, communication, and situational decision-making, rather than just scheme.
- Aggressive Accountability: Johnson has been clear, stating, “we’re gonna push, we’re gonna challenge.” He emphasizes a “no-nonsense” approach, demanding accountability and immediately correcting bad habits that developed during Williams’ rookie season.
- Strategic Formation Shifts: The Bears are pushing Williams to operate more under center. His average of 11.3 plays per game from under center this season is a significant increase from 5.8 last year, aiming to “hamper defenses.”
- 12 Personnel Emphasis: Chicago’s offense is making extensive use of 12 personnel (two tight end sets), accounting for 31.2% of their pass plays – fifth-highest in the league. This strategy is designed to disguise offensive intentions and simplify defensive reads for Williams, who has excelled in these formations with a 116.0 passer rating.
- Schematic Multiplicity: The coaching staff aims to “make the same thing look different and different things look the same,” creating offensive tendencies to later exploit. This was evident in Week 3’s 65-yard flea-flicker touchdown against the Cowboys, disguised to look like a familiar run play.
The immediate impact of this new direction is already visible. The Bears, with a 3-2 record and a two-game winning streak as of Week 6, have seen their offense climb to 11th in points per game (25.3) and 17th in total yards per game (328) – significant improvements from last season’s 28th and last-place rankings, respectively. Williams’ passer rating has improved from 24th to 18th, and his passing touchdowns per game from 21st to 4th, demonstrating the early fruits of Johnson and Doyle’s meticulous coaching.
Building a Complete Roster and Staff: Beyond the Offense
While the focus is heavily on Caleb Williams and the offense, Ben Johnson’s holistic vision for the Bears extends to all facets of the team. Acknowledging the critical need to protect Williams, Johnson and General Manager Ryan Poles are prioritizing offensive line improvements. Poles is reportedly targeting top free-agent linemen like Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs, a player Poles drafted during his tenure in Kansas City.
On the defensive side, Johnson is considering experienced candidates for defensive coordinator, including former Saints and Raiders head coach Dennis Allen. This move would bring a seasoned leader to a unit that Johnson has expressed confidence in, even before his arrival, seeing the Bears as a “sleeping giant” in the division.
Bears’ Outlook: Contending in a Toughest Division?
Ben Johnson’s decision to stay within the NFC North, despite being the most coveted coaching candidate, was intentional. He recognized the division’s toughness, with three teams making the playoffs last year, and embraced the challenge, even playfully admitting to enjoying “beating (Packers coach) Matt LaFleur twice a year.” This competitive spirit, combined with a clear long-term plan, has ignited cautious optimism among Bears fans.
Johnson’s experience in turning around the Lions, transforming them from perennial basement-dwellers into NFC North champions, provides a tangible blueprint for success. While the NFC North remains a formidable challenge with strong coaching and rosters in Minnesota and Green Bay, the early signs from the Johnson-Doyle tandem, particularly in Williams’ development, suggest the Bears are on a trajectory to contend sooner rather than later. The “hungry individual” that is Caleb Williams, combined with a coaching staff dedicated to meticulous detail and aggressive accountability, signals a genuine opportunity for the Bears to break their long-standing playoff drought and reshape the division’s balance of power.
