Almost every assistant hired by new head coach Ben Johnson was met with intrigue from Chicago Bears fans, with the exception of one. The reports that Press Taylor, Jacksonville’s former offensive coordinator, was taking over as passing game coordinator didn’t receive positive vibes. Much of this stems from rumors that have followed the young assistant dating back to his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Many blame him for the regression of quarterback Carson Wentz there and Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville over the past two years.
Former tight end Clay Harbor has a unique perspective on this. He played for the Eagles when Taylor was coaching there and spent extensive time at training camp in Jacksonville as an observer. He explained to 670 The Score that while Taylor isn’t adept as a play-caller, he has a well-deserved reputation as a good quarterback coach. That is the primary role he will serve in Chicago.
Press Taylor does get an unfair rep.
Harbor’s statements are supported by data. In 2018 and 2019, when he was the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach, Wentz threw 48 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in 27 games. His regression in 2020 was more about ongoing health issues and a growing rift with head coach Doug Pederson, who reportedly preferred starting rookie Jalen Hurts. Combine that with the fact that Pederson didn’t want to fire Taylor despite pressure from ownership to do so to placate Wentz, and the staff got fired.
As for what happened in Jacksonville, that is a jumbled mess. There was a constant back and forth on who called plays offensively for the Jaguars. He and Pederson shared them in 2022, which was successful. However, Press Taylor was given full duties in 2023. That didn’t go well. This, combined with his cloudy exit from Philadelphia, has led to a rather unfair reputation as a quarterback killer. He won’t be calling plays in Chicago. Johnson brought him in because it’s felt he can be another asset for quarterback Caleb Williams. Nothing more.
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