By Ross Jackson
The biggest head coach hire of the 2025 cycle came when the Chicago Bears landed former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Now that Johnson is in place in the Windy City, he has begun building his coaching staff. In doing so, he started with a pair of former Saints staffers.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Chicago has hired former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to be the team’s defensive coordinator and former offensive assistant Declan Doyle as its next offensive coordinator.
Allen was fired in New Orleans after a Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. His defense revitalized the Saints following historically bad performances on that side of the ball from the 2014-2016. Allen’s defense took off after a stellar 2017 draft class equipped him with the final building blocks for his system.
New Orleans had a stellar defense for years under Allen as a defensive coordinator. It wasn’t until he was promoted to head coach that things began to take a downturn. That fall-off came to a head in 2024 when the Saints’ defense finished as the No. 30 total defense, No. 27 passing defense and No. 31 rushing defense. The team ranked No. 19 in opponent’s scoring. While the Saints did not finish their season with Allen at the helm of the defense, the depreciation was well on its way under his watch.
Getting back to being a full-time defensive coordinator should allow the Bears to maximize Allen’s scheme and system, while Johnson and Doyle head up a promising offense.
While Doyle, 28, becomes the Bears’ offensive coordinator, Johnson is expected to maintain the play calling responsibilities.
Doyle was an offensive assistant in New Orleans from 2019-2022, replacing Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady in the position. When Sean Payton took the job head coaching job in Denver, Doyle joined his staff as the tight ends coach.
Now, Doyle will get valuable years of development under one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds. He has a chance to become a rising talent, ready for a play calling opportunity within the next handful of years.
The Saints and Bears will meet in Chicago during the 2025 season.
