While the rest of the NFL is trying to reshuffle its coaching staffs, the Chicago Bears have the benefit of largely retaining their key coaches. Eric Bieniemy's return to Kansas City is certainly an important loss, but Bears fans were fearing much worse when their season ended at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago.
Defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Al Harris was considered to be a prime candidate to leave for a promotion elsewhere. After turning the Bears' secondary into the league's premier ballhawking unit, Harris became a highly sought-after coach to get a defensive coordinator gig. When the Packers and the Commanders brought him in for an interview, many thought that he was likely to leave.
While Washington and Green Bay went in different directions, the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who Harris played for in Green Bay and worked under in Dallas. Harris was considered a top candidate to become the Steelers' defensive coordinator, but team insider Gerry Dulac reported on Wednesday that McCarthy was close to hiring Patrick Graham as his DC.
Graham has been the Las Vegas Raiders' defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, giving him more experience in that role. That doesn't mean, however, that Harris will surely stay in Chicago.
Al Harris Is Still a Flight Risk Despite Dwindling Vacancies
The Bears are not completely in the clear.
Harris interviewed with the Tennessee Titans last week, and they have yet to announce their decision. He is considered to be among the favorites to land the job. One possibility that could prevent Harris from taking that job is that head coach Robert Saleh will be the defensive playcaller.
The Titans previously had defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson call plays defensively. Although he didn't have prior playcalling experience, things worked out horribly for Tennessee. So, the team is playing it safe this time around and has given defensive play-calling duties to Saleh and offensive play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Harris may understandably not want a defensive coordinator job without play-calling duties. If that is the case, the Bears can still feel good about their chances of retaining him.
At the same time, there are still plenty of appealing open defensive coordinator positions. The Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers remain without a DC and are searching. Harris hasn't been connected to them extensively, but as long as those positions stay vacant, there will be a possibility of their valuable DB coach leaving.
While it's certainly positive that options are dwindling for Harris, the Bears have to be prepared for the worst as they look ahead to the 2026 offseason.