Which offensive coordinator from the NFL would be the ideal head coach for the Bears?
The Chicago Bears, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, have long struggled to find consistency at the head coach position. Despite having a passionate fan base, a rich history, and a solid defense, the Bears have been plagued by poor quarterback play and an inability to build a high-powered offense. The team’s recent struggles have prompted a search for a head coach who can lead them into a new era of success, with a particular focus on developing their young quarterback, Justin Fields.
As the Bears embark on this search for a head coach, it is clear that the next leader of the team will need to be someone who can revitalize the offense, develop Fields into a franchise quarterback, and bring stability to the organization. One area of focus for the Bears should be the offensive coordinator position. Offensive coordinators in the NFL are responsible for designing and executing the team’s offensive schemes, and many of the most successful head coaches in the league have come from an offensive background. The Bears will likely need to hire an offensive-minded head coach who can maximize their offensive potential, particularly with a promising quarterback like Fields.
This article will explore the ideal offensive coordinator candidates for the Bears and analyze their potential to turn the team’s fortunes around. We will examine a few top offensive coordinators in the NFL and assess which one would be the best fit for the Bears, considering their current roster, coaching needs, and long-term goals.
The Chicago Bears’ Current Situation
The Chicago Bears have an exciting young quarterback in Justin Fields, who has shown flashes of brilliance since being drafted in 2021. Fields has the athleticism, arm strength, and potential to be a top-tier quarterback in the NFL. However, his development has been hindered by inconsistent coaching, poor offensive line play, and a lack of supporting talent at the skill positions.
The Bears’ offense has been underwhelming in recent years, with a lack of creativity and unpredictability. The team’s offensive schemes have often been too conservative, with an emphasis on a run-heavy attack that has not always taken full advantage of Fields’ dynamic abilities as a dual-threat quarterback. The Bears need an offensive-minded head coach who can not only improve the overall offensive system but also maximize Fields’ strengths and help him grow into a star quarterback.
Defensively, the Bears remain one of the strongest teams in the NFL, with a solid defense anchored by standout players like Roquan Smith, Eddie Jackson, and Robert Quinn. However, for the Bears to become a true contender, they must improve on offense. With a young quarterback in place and a defense that can win games, hiring an offensive coordinator who can develop Fields and create a high-powered offense is critical for the team’s long-term success.
Top NFL Offensive Coordinators Who Could Be Ideal for the Bears
- Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Daboll has been one of the most impressive offensive coordinators in the NFL in recent years, and his success with the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen has made him one of the hottest coaching candidates in the league. Daboll’s ability to develop young quarterbacks and implement a versatile offensive system that maximizes their strengths makes him an ideal candidate for the Bears.
During his time with the Bills, Daboll helped turn Josh Allen from an inconsistent quarterback into one of the league’s most dynamic and productive signal-callers. He tailored the offense to Allen’s strengths, incorporating both a traditional passing game and designed quarterback runs that capitalized on Allen’s athleticism. Daboll also worked to improve Allen’s accuracy, decision-making, and overall poise in the pocket, all of which contributed to Allen’s rapid development as one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
The Bears could benefit greatly from Daboll’s expertise in developing a quarterback with Fields’ skill set. Like Allen, Fields is an incredibly athletic quarterback with a strong arm and the ability to make plays both in and outside of the pocket. Daboll’s ability to design an offense that allows Fields to use his legs while also developing him as a passer would be a perfect fit for the Bears.
Daboll’s system is also versatile, with an emphasis on quick throws, play-action, and read-option concepts that could help open up the field for Fields and the rest of the offense. His ability to adjust his offensive philosophy based on his quarterback’s strengths would be an asset for the Bears as they continue to develop their young signal-caller.
- Kellen Moore (Dallas Cowboys)
Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, has gained significant attention for his work with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ high-powered offense. Moore is known for his creativity and ability to design explosive passing schemes that stretch the field both horizontally and vertically. His offensive philosophy emphasizes a balanced attack that incorporates a strong passing game along with a solid running game, which could work well for the Bears.
Moore has been instrumental in Prescott’s development, helping him become one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Under Moore’s leadership, the Cowboys’ offense has been among the most efficient in the league, with a focus on quick, rhythmic passing that allows Prescott to get into a rhythm early in games. Moore’s ability to design an offense that utilizes a quarterback’s strengths while also spreading the ball around to a variety of playmakers is an area where the Bears could improve.
For the Bears, Moore could build a system that takes advantage of Fields’ ability to make quick reads and progressions, while also creating opportunities for explosive plays. Fields has the potential to be an effective passer when he has the time and structure to make reads, and Moore’s ability to design effective passing concepts could help him thrive. Additionally, Moore’s experience with a versatile offense that utilizes both the running and passing game would work well with the Bears’ roster, which includes solid running backs like David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.
Moore is also known for his adaptability, which could help him adjust his system based on the strengths of the players he has on the roster. Whether it’s leaning on a strong running game or emphasizing a more pass-heavy attack, Moore has the ability to adjust his approach based on the team’s needs.
- Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins)
Mike McDaniel, the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, where he was instrumental in creating one of the most innovative and explosive offenses in the NFL. McDaniel is known for his creative, zone-based run game and his ability to design offense that maximizes the skill sets of his players.
McDaniel’s work with Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, and George Kittle in San Francisco showcased his ability to design an offense that utilized play-action, motion, and the running game to create mismatches and keep defenses off balance. His zone-running schemes, combined with the play-action passing game, made the 49ers’ offense one of the most effective in the league, even with limited quarterback play.
For the Bears, McDaniel’s system could be a great fit. The Bears have a strong running back group and a mobile quarterback in Fields, which would allow McDaniel to implement a similar run-heavy offense with a focus on play-action and misdirection. McDaniel’s ability to create a dynamic and unpredictable offense that stresses defenses horizontally would be a major asset to the Bears, as they look to develop Fields and create a more explosive offensive attack.
Additionally, McDaniel’s innovative approach to offense would give the Bears a fresh, modern philosophy that could help them break away from the stale, conservative offensive schemes they’ve been running in recent years. His ability to blend the run and pass game in a creative and effective way would help the Bears’ offense stay one step ahead of the competition.
- Shane Steichen (Philadelphia Eagles)
Shane Steichen, the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, has quickly risen to prominence as one of the top offensive minds in the NFL. Steichen is known for his work with quarterback Jalen Hurts, and his ability to design an offense that takes advantage of Hurts’ unique skill set. Under Steichen’s leadership, the Eagles’ offense has been among the most dynamic in the league, with a blend of strong rushing attacks and an effective passing game.
Steichen’s work with Hurts is particularly relevant for the Bears, as Justin Fields shares many of the same attributes as Hurts. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks who can make plays with their legs while also possessing strong arms. Steichen has demonstrated the ability to design an offense that allows Hurts to run the ball effectively, but also develop as a passer. His ability to build a system that maximizes a quarterback’s talents while also utilizing the full potential of the team’s skill players would be ideal for the Bears’ offensive needs.
Steichen’s offense also incorporates an up-tempo, no-huddle approach that could help the Bears keep defenses on their toes and create more explosive plays. His ability to adjust his offensive philosophy based on the strengths of his quarterback and his roster would be invaluable for the Bears as they look to build around Fields.
