As the Chicago Bears prepare for their third matchup this season with the Green Bay Packers, it is fair to wonder what changes await if an upset were to occur. The Bears should be favored, but lack playoff experience with head coach Ben Johnson being in his rookie season and quarterback Caleb Williams making his playoff debut. As talented a roster as this might be, an upset isn't unthinkable, leading to the increasing possibility that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is entering his last game with Chicago.
Doyle served as the Denver Broncos tight-ends coach from the 2023-2024 seasons before joining Johnson's staff this year as the offensive coordinator. While Doyle has the title, it is Ben Johnson getting all of the glory, calling the plays and helping engineer a breakout season for Rome Odunze, Kyle Monangai, and, more importantly, Caleb Williams. With this in mind, it makes sense for Doyle to use the breakout season as an excuse to find a new landing spot.
This isn't out of disloyalty or an indication of Chicago's ceiling ahead, but the reality of a business likely to offer Doyle a chance at promotions. Even within the Bears' own division, it would make sense for the Detroit Lions to attempt to steal from Chicago's staff for their open OC position in an effort to rediscover the magic of Johnson's offense.
Bears OC Declan Doyle Setting Himself up for Offseason Promotion and Chicago Exit
Chicago's having such a great season ensures that the chance given to Johnson a season ago will now be presented to his staff. Of note, this includes Doyle and the current running backs coach and experienced coordinator, Eric Bieniemy. For the Bears, this isn't too concerning when you consider that Johnson is the engine that makes the offense run, calling plays and using the same creativity that haunted the Bears during Johnson's tenure with the Lions.
For Doyle, the reason to exit is simple in a league that is hiring head coaches at an increasingly younger age. The coordinator needs to find a landing spot where he can continue to grow his career, calling plays and perhaps eventually earning a chance at a head coaching job. Serving on the staff of Johnson and previously with Payton already gives an impressive resume that is sure to catch the attention of a number of teams.
This isn't ideal for the Bears, who would obviously love to retain every piece of a coaching staff that pushed the team to the NFC's second seed. However, this is the reality of the business, with success always exacting a price from winning teams. It is a part of what makes staying on top so incredibly difficult and keeps parity throughout the league. All of this adds to the obvious case that Doyle could indeed be entering his final game with the Chicago Bears.