Bears Quietly Cut Ties With Four Coaches While Fans Were Sleeping

There’s been a lot of noise around the Chicago Bears recently. The hiring of Ben Johnson has drawn praise from rivals and even candidates that didn’t get the head coaching job have admitted that things are looking up after a disappointing 5-12 season in 2024.

The noise will continue as Johnson assembles his staff in Chicago. But while there are sure to be rumors and hirings over the next several weeks, one of the first steps was done quietly when four assistant coaches were let go late on Thursday night.

Bears Fire Four Assistants From Matt Eberflus’s Staff

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. of Windy City Gridiron noted that four assistant coaches were no longer listed on the Bears website late on Thursday night. 

The missing coaches were defensive line coach Travis Smith, assistant running backs coach Jennifer King, assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach Ryan Griffin and assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling. These changes likely signals that Chicago has decided to move on as Johnson assembles his staff.

Smith was on the Chicago staff for the past three seasons but his days were numbered when new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen tabbed Bill Johnson as their new defensive line coach earlier this week.

Meanwhile, King, Griffin and Houghtaling were all hired last spring with King becoming the first female coach in Bears’ history. With former offensive coordinator and interim head coach Thomas Brown joining Mike Vrabel’s staff in New England, it was part of Johnson’s overhaul with new OC Declan Doyle. 

The moves aren’t surprising for a new regime that is trying to improve an offense that ranked 28th in points scored and 32nd in total offense last season. With Johnson coming in, he’ll look to bring in his own people to maximize Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears offense and lead a new era heading into 2025.

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