Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said plainly how important his coordinator hires would be, and that could lead to a scheme change on defense. The Bears have run an even (4-3) front since 2018. Teams spend so much time in nickel packages that emphasis on base fronts has been lessened.
It is still the basis on which teams build their defensive fronts, making it one of the more notable items to monitor. Unlike the offensive coordinator position, there have already been candidates who have emerged for DC.
Bears DC: 10 Candidates Who Make Sense for Ben Johnson’s Staff
Tier 1: The Rumors
Two candidates have already emerged as potential candidates. Johnson confirmed one as an option and the other was called true by their current boss.
Dennis Allen – FA (4-3): Allen’s name emerged as a potential candidate in the immediate aftermath of Johnson’s hiring, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting on the possibility on January 20. Allen has a lengthy track record as a head coach.
His defenses have always had a 4-3 alignment, which could appeal to the Bears since it would likely mean less of an overhaul on that side of the ball.
Aubrey Pleasant – Pass Game Coord./Asst. HC – LAR (3-4): Pleasant has been with the Rams for six seasons across two stints. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the Bears requested Pleasant on January 22 and Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed the next day.
His role (both now and in the past) makes it difficult to say what kind of impact he has had. But he is notably coaching a secondary that plays behind an odd (3-4) front.
Tier 2: Coaches With Chops
There have not been any public links to this group for the Bears. But they all hold an appealing track record and could warrant a move up (or back into the coaching ranks).
Jeremiah Washburn – Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers (3-4): Washburn could fit under the upcoming “former Bears” header, having spent the 2017 season in Chicago coaching the offensive line. His tenure in Philadelphia includes their Super Bowl appearance in 2022 and he helped turn Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat into Pro Bowlers.
Joe Cullen – Defensive Line – KC (4-3): Cullen just finished his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping a defensive line that has fueled a top-12 total defense in all three years and a top-five scoring unit in each of the last two. Before that, he spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers among other stops.
Dave Merritt – Secondary – KC (4-3): Merritt is a former linebacker whose time with the Chiefs intertwined with Bears GM Ryan Poles’, and we know how much that kind of synergy has played a part in this regime’s current structure.
Tier 3: Names to Watch
This group might not have the track record at the NFL level of the tier above, but they have already made their mark with promising results.
Chuck Smith – Pass Rush Coach – BAL (3-4): Smith is working under a young defensive coordinator in Zachary Orr. But he had already earned the nickname “Dr. Rush” as a consultant and has communication skills as a former media personality.
Marcus Dixon – Defensive Line – MIN (3-4): Dixon works under defensive mad scientist Brian Flores in Minnesota, but he has also worked under McVay in LA and Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos. The Vikings ranked sixth in sacks and No. 2 in run defense in 2024.
Jamar Cain – Defensive Line – DEN (3-4): Working under respected coordinator Vance Joseph certainly helps. But the Broncos led the league in sacks this past season, and players have raved about Cain’s impact.
Former Bears Who Made Good
This group has a better chance of getting the job than their offensive counterparts. But they are coming off less-than-stellar showings in the previous DC roles.
Clint Hurtt – Senior Defensive Asst./Defensive Line – PHI (3-4): Hurtt falls “below” Washburn on this list because he is in his first season with the Eagles in 2024 after seven years with the Seattle Seahawks. His final two seasons were as their defensive coordinator. And while those Seahawks (like this year’s Eagles) ran a 3-4 defense, they did not fare very well. He coached Bears OLBs in 2015-16.
Brandon Staley – Asst. Head Coach – SF (3-4): Staley spent two seasons as the Bears OLBs coach in 2017 and 18. He moved on to the Denver Broncos in the same capacity in 2019 and the Los Angeles Rams as DC in 2020. That led to his head coaching stint with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021 through 2023. He spent last season working with Kyle Shanahan and first-year DC Nick Sorenson (since fired) in 2024.
