The Chicago Bears have finally begun assembling their coaching staff after the arrival of head coach Ben Johnson. Three assistants arrived in quick succession on Friday. It started with former Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris becoming their new passing game coordinator. Next was Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, taking the same job in Chicago in addition to assistant head coach. However, the third and final move sent a clear signal of what strategy Johnson is using.
J.T. Barrett was the Lions assistant quarterbacks coach. He will become Chicago’s primary quarterbacks coach. Why this is such an interesting move because it cements what was already becoming clear. Johnson isn’t just adding former players as coaches on his staff. He’s adding former successful players.
Harris was a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who helped the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers make the playoffs a combined six times, including three NFC Championship appearances. Randle El won a Super Bowl as a wide receiver with Pittsburgh. Barrett was a Heisman favorite as a freshman and set Ohio State on a path to a national championship in 2014. These men are accustomed to winning and understand what it takes to get there. This is precisely what the Bears need.
The Chicago Bears haven’t had a staff like this in years.
One would have to go back to the Mike Ditka era when they had guys like Dick Stanfel and Johnny Roland on the staff. Stanfel was a five-time All-Pro guard in the 1950s. Roland was a two-time Pro Bowl running back in the 1960s. Ditka himself was, of course, a Hall of Fame tight end. History proves that infusing a staff with successful former players tends to create good results for a team. Johnson learned this lesson from Dan Campbell during his time in Detroit, and he seems to have taken it to heart.
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It will be interesting to see if he brings any other former players to the Chicago Bears. Chris Kuper worked with Johnson in Miami. He was a Pro Bowl offensive lineman in Denver before that. Shawn Jefferson was also there, and he was a member of the New England Patriots All-Decade team in the 1990s as a receiver. There is no shortage of possibilities. One thing is certain: This Bears team will be run with a far greater competitive edge than it has been in a long time.
