The Chicago Bears’ search for a new offensive coordinator remains quietly ongoing. Declan Doyle is gone. Head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t spoken on the matter since the departure. The only information available was the news that Chicago wanted to meet with Cardinals passing game coordinator Connor Senger about the position. No other names have surfaced. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network delivered a plot twist this week, revealing that an in-house name has finally emerged.

That is passing game coordinator Press Taylor.

Chicago hired Taylor last offseason, and he’s faded into the background ever since. For him to re-emerge now is somewhat surprising since he wasn’t considered the most obvious choice for a promotion. After all, his track record in positions of power, like offensive coordinator, has not gone well in the past. When he took over as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in Philadelphia in 2018, quarterback Carson Wentz went from MVP contender to total flameout by 2020. It got to a point where head coach Doug Pederson was fired in large part because he wanted to promote Taylor.

Press Taylor didn’t help his case in Jacksonville.

Pederson made him the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator in 2022. Trevor Lawrence had a good first year, throwing 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while making the Pro Bowl. However, like Wentz, he then began a sharp decline, throwing 31 touchdowns and 21 interceptions over the next two seasons. Keep in mind, Taylor wasn’t calling the plays. It got that bad just because he was the one in charge of organizing everything. Promoting him to that same role again doesn’t feel like an advisable move for the Bears.

It feels like the best place for Press Taylor is right where he is. He can use his background as a former quarterback and quarterbacks coach to help continue crafting a passing game that will help Caleb Williams. Putting anything more on his plate doesn’t usually work out well. It’s worth noting Rapoport didn’t make it seem like he was the heavy favorite for the job. Johnson seems intent on bringing in another outside voice, as he had with Doyle last year.

How long will this take? Nobody knows. The scouting combine takes place on February 23rd. One would think the Bears want their new offensive coordinator in place before then.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was asked about D’Andre Swift’s future with the Bears. His report makes it clear that Swift is in a solid position to return for the final year of his contract.

Swift is scheduled to earn a $6.39 million base salary in 2026. He also has a $500,000 roster bonus due on March 15. On top of that, he can earn up to $510,000 in per game roster bonuses and another $100,000 workout bonus.

From a production standpoint, Swift delivered. He rushed for a career high 1,087 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns. He also added 34 catches for 299 yards and a receiving score. He played 621 snaps, which was 58 percent of the Bears offensive plays in 2025.

Biggs noted that releasing Swift would free up $7.47 million in cap space. It would also create a clear need at running back. The Bears relied heavily on Swift and Kyle Monangai as a duo, and the pairing worked well throughout the season.

“I would guess they will lean toward running it back with him in 2026.”

These are the facts. Swift is productive, healthy, and still under contract. The Bears have flexibility but also risk if they move on.

What This Means for the Bears Backfield

Swift turns 27 and is entering a contract year. That matters. Players in that spot are usually motivated, and the Bears would benefit from that urgency.

Biggs also pointed out that the Bears will review all veterans making solid money, especially players with no guaranteed money left. Swift fits that category. That does not mean he is on the way out. It means the front office will have real discussions.

The Swift and Monangai pairing gave the Bears balance. Swift handled the lead role while Monangai added physical snaps and change of pace carries. Removing Swift would force the Bears to either spend money in free agency or invest draft capital at the position.

That is where the cap savings argument gets weaker. Saving money only helps if the replacement is cheaper and reliable.

Why Keeping Swift Makes Sense

Swift is one of the most underrated players on the Bears offense. He produces, he fits the scheme, and he does not create problems off the field.

At his current price, Swift provides value. The Bears are not paying elite running back money, and they are getting steady production. In a year where the offense needs continuity, keeping the backfield stable matters.

Running it back for one more year makes sense. Swift is motivated. Monangai continues to grow. The Bears avoid creating another roster hole.

There is no rush to move on. If the Bears want to compete in 2026, keeping Swift is the clean and practical choice.

The Chicago Bears haven’t yet begun setting their draft board. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson still have free agents, both in-house and outside, to sort through. They also have to attend the scouting combine and pro days. No final decisions are ever made this early. That said, it isn’t difficult to at least gauge the direction the team is going. Based on this past season’s results, most agree the Bears’ needs center on four positions: edge rusher, left tackle, defensive tackle, and safety. Determining which one will be the highest priority is the key to figuring out what they do at the 25th pick in the 1st round.

Most people believe edge rusher is the answer. It isn’t difficult to understand why. Montez Sweat had 10 sacks this year. Nobody else had more than four. Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles. Austin Booker came on late but is still unproven. Dominique Robinson is a free agent. It seems like an obvious position to attack. However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune warns against ignoring defensive tackle at your own risk.

The Chicago Bears have questions on the interior as well.

Grady Jarrett is in his mid-30s and spent much of the season battling a knee injury. It’s hard to know if he has any juice left. Gervon Dexter had six sacks, which was a career best, but he still hasn’t had a true breakthrough. Andrew Billings is a free agent. Shemar Turner tore his ACL. There are just as many questions at that position as there are at edge rusher. Then you should factor in the man running the show on defense.

Dennis Allen has been a defensive coordinator for a long time. During his extended run with the New Orleans Saints from 2015 through 2024, his team picked two edge rushers and two defensive tackles in the 1st round. He sees great value in both, so the man won’t be inclined to favor one position over the other. It will all depend on which players are available at #25. Early estimates have the class being five to three players ranked as 1st round prospects between edge rushers and defensive tackles. It’s possible that might change after several DTs stood out at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

Recent draft history also reveals some startling data.

Since 2015, 25 players selected between the 20th and 30th picks have played defensive line. That is the range the Bears will be picking in. The obvious question is which position, edge or defensive tackle, has the better hit rate. The answer was somewhat shocking. While more edge rushers ended up becoming good players, it came at the cost of far more being selected. Conversely, defensive tackles comprised barely a third of the total names selected, but actually had a better overall hit rate.

Even Bears history backs this up to a small degree. In the modern era, Chicago has selected a defensive lineman between picks 20 and 30 three times. First was defensive end Dave Gallagher in 1974. He was gone after one season. Next was defensive tackle William Perry in 1985, a cornerstone of those great defenses of the decade and a longtime folk hero in the city. Lastly came Alonzo Spellman in 1992. While not a star, he was a solid player for a few years. There you have it. The Bears hit 50% at edge rusher and a perfect 100% at defensive tackle. This is why Biggs’ words can’t be ignored.

There is also the Ben Johnson factor in this.

Don’t forget that every credible insider, including Biggs, has said that the Bears’ head coach holds considerable personnel power inside Halas Hall. If it comes down to it, he’ll determine who the team goes with at #25. Why does this matter? Don’t forget the team has a glaring issue at left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo tore his patella and will likely miss part of the upcoming regular season. Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones are free agents. Depending on how things unfold, there is a strong possibility Johnson may wish to reserve that pick for a concrete solution at left tackle, presuming a viable prospect is available.

Remember, predicting that pick has become considerably tougher since Johnson joined the team. Nobody expected the Bears to take a tight end 10th overall last year, but then Colston Loveland happened. They also didn’t expect a wide receiver. Then Luther Burden happened. It feels like an injection of unpredictability came into the mix when Johnson arrived. It could go any number of directions. Edge rusher will likely be high on the list, but the Chicago Bears can’t be married to it.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune weighed in on the idea of a possible trade for Maxx Crosby, and his read was pretty clear. Biggs believes Bears general manager Ryan Poles would have a hard time parting with two first round picks, or anything close to that, to acquire Crosby. If the price were lower, Biggs sees it as an option that would at least be worth discussing.

“My intuition is that general manager Ryan Poles would have a hard time bundling two first-round draft picks or something close to that to acquire Crosby. If the price is lower, then it would be an intriguing option.”

That view makes sense when you look at how Poles has operated since taking over. He has been steady. He has valued draft capital. He has avoided most panic moves. Giving up multiple firsts goes against the core of that approach. It would be a major shift from how the Bears have built this roster.

At the same time, it is important to be realistic about what a Crosby trade would actually look like. If the Las Vegas Raiders decide to shop him, they are not doing it to clear cap space or take on role players. They would be chasing premium draft picks. Teams do not move elite pass rushers in their prime without a serious return. Bears players who are not great cap fits are not going to headline that type of deal. Draft capital would drive the conversation.

Why Chicago Should Still Push

This is where my opinion comes in. Even if Biggs is right about the cost, the Bears should still explore it. Crosby is not just a good player. He is a true difference maker. He affects every snap. He forces offenses to adjust protections. He creates pressure without help. Those players are rare, and they almost never hit the open market.

Yes, two first round picks is steep. It is not ideal. It would reduce future flexibility. But Crosby is still young, still in his prime, and still playing at an elite level. The Bears have spent years looking for a pass rusher who changes games. When one becomes available, you have to at least try.

Poles prefers to build through the draft, and that should not change. But building through the draft does not mean refusing to act when the right player is available. If Chicago can structure a deal around a couple of high picks and a player, it is worth serious consideration. The roster is no longer in a teardown phase. It is ready for impact talent.

This would be a calculated risk, not a reckless one. Adding Crosby would immediately raise the defense’s ceiling and accelerate the timeline. Sometimes the best move is the hard one.

The Pro Bowl isn’t the event it was years ago, but it’s still viewed with some semblance of respect as a showcase for some of the NFL’s best. That went out the window this year when it was announced that Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Nobody could understand how that was possible. Sanders completed barely half of his passes this season with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. How does he belong on the same field as Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright, who combined for 12 interceptions this season?

Still, the rookie didn’t seem bothered by the outrage. He acted as if he belonged there, having no doubt that it was a sign of things to come. Maybe it would’ve been better to stay home. During the flag football match between the two teams, Byard and Wright picked up right where they left off. The Bears safety was the first to get Sanders on a tipped pass.

Later in the 3rd quarter, Sanders tried going deep to the end zone. Wright was the one to make him pay this time. That makes a total of five interceptions he’s thrown to Bears defensive backs this season.

Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright put one like statement on free agency stock.

Both men are scheduled to hit the open market next month. Neither has received any notice from the Bears about a possible extension yet. Given where things stand with the salary cap, it is more than likely one of them will be playing for a new team next season. Current predictions have Wright being that guy. He is considerably younger than the 33-year-old Byard and plays a more in-demand position at cornerback. It is expected that he will have an assortment of interested teams vying for his services.

It feels like Kevin Byard is the more likely candidate to return. He won’t cost as much due to his age. Projections have it being around $7 million per year. Besides, the Bears are also in line to lose Jaquan Brisker as well. They have to keep one of their starting safeties. Byard is the most sensible choice. Then again, these things don’t always go the way you expect. It will be interesting to see what unfolds in the next 30 days.

As for Sanders, he had better start learning how to be careful with the football, or other teams will pick up on what the Bears have done to him this season.