The Chicago Bears had a dream season in 2025 and will need a strong offseason performance to sustain their success into 2026 and beyond. The first steps of that process have unfolded in recent weeks as Chicago’s coaching staff and front office have been poached, leaving head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles searching for how to fill those voids.
One of those decisions came down on Thursday morning when The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that Eric Studesville has been hired as the Bears’ new running backs coach. Studesville has spent the past nine seasons as the running backs coach with the Miami Dolphins, and his previous experience working alongside Ben Johnson in 2017 and 2018 could be a key reason for his hire.
While Studesville will have a tall task replacing former RBs coach Eric Bieniemy, who left to become the offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, it could have an impact on the Bears’ offseason plans. That includes free agency, where Studesville’s arrival could be the key to luring Breece Hall to Chicago.
Bears’ Breece Hall Bid Just Got Stronger with Eric Studesville’s Arrival
Hall is one of the top free agent targets for the Bears this offseason, and even had kind words for Johnson’s offense toward the end of last season. While the 24-year-old earned his first 1,000-yard season with the New York Jets in 2025, he is unlikely to return to the team, and the Bears could be a key target thanks to Studesville’s hiring.
Studesville, like any coach that has been in one place for nine years, has produced a lot of talent during his time in Miami. Kenyan Drake and Jay Ajayi were his first successful students, but the Dolphins transitioned to Myles Gaskin in 2020 and De’Von Achane in 2023. Studesville even got 722 yards out of 35-year-old Frank Gore during the 2018 season and helped Raheem Mostert lead the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023, showing he can work with a variety of running backs.
This track record could help get the most out of Hall after four largely underwhelming seasons with the Jets. And the Bears’ current situation in the backfield could make the feelings mutual.
The Bears’ running game was one of the best in the NFL last season, ranking third in rushing yards per game (144.5) and yards per carry (4.9). Although they enjoyed success on the ground, they have some long-term questions at the position.
D’Andre Swift reached the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career and scored a career-high nine touchdowns with the Bears last season. But after turning 27 this month, the Bears may not be willing to give him another contract after the three-year, $24 million pact he signed in free agency expires next year.
In addition, Swift may not be on the team next year as the Bears could save $7.4 million by releasing him after June 1, per OverTheCap.
Kyle Monangai is in a shaky situation after hitting the rookie wall at the end of last season. But with 783 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, it’s a solid foundation that Studesville can work with, and Swift’s success showed that there is enough for two running backs to eat in Johnson’s offense.
Spotrac’s projected market value of $10.4 million confirms Hall will not be cheap. But it feels like a great landing spot with a strong position coach and an offensive line that fueled one of the league’s best rushing attacks one year ago. Even if Hall decides to go somewhere else, it’s a situation that other top free agent running backs, including Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne, could buy into.
At this point, it’s up to Hall to connect the dots, and Thursday’s hiring elevated his chances that he could wind up in Chicago.