The Chicago Bears introduced their assistant coaches for the 2026 season, and the group of mostly holdovers from last season (if not further back) spoke candidly about the incumbent players and rookies alike.
They also announced several roster moves, including a change to the backfield.
The Bears were inspired to release a statement on their plans for a new stadium following some noteworthy actions and comments from the political side.
Bears’ Roster Move With Deion Hankins Leads News Roundup
Bears News: RB Cut After Latest Roster Addition
The Bears signed former Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed on Wednesday, and, on Thursday, they also announced that they cut ties with second-year player Deion Hankins.
Hankins is in his second NFL season out of Texas State. He did not see the field during the 2025 regular season, spending the campaign on injured reserve. He rushed for 33 yards on 10 carries during the 2025 preseason. Now, he hits the open market searching for a new home.
The Bears’ running back room features D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
It also has former draft pick Roschon Johnson, rookie undrafted free agent Coleman Bennett, and former Las Vegas Raiders draft pick Brittain Brown.
Those players, save for Bennett, have already played for the Bears. Ahmed has familiarity with the Bears’ new running backs coach, Eric Studesville. There was no longer room enough for Hankins, at least for now.
An injury or two could have him on the Bears’ shortlist of options.
Assistant Coaches Meet the Media
Studesville, Al Harris (cornerbacks/defensive pass game), Antwaan Randle El (wide receivers), Cannon Matthews (nickelbacks), J.T. Barrett (quarterbacks), Jim Dray (tight ends), Matt Giordano (safeties), and Richard Smith (linebackers) all spoke with Clocker Sports on Thursday.
Among the topics was Caleb Williams’ command of the offense.
The coaches also discussed rookie first-round pick Dillon Thieneman, Year 2 of Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, and much more.
Defensive line coach Jeremy Grant and offensive line coach Dan Roushar also spoke with the media on Thursday. The Bears, like every team, make their assistants available throughout the season, so it will be interesting to track some of the sentiments as the campaign progresses.
Bears Release Statement After Stadium
In other Bears news, the search for a resolution regarding their stadium took an interesting turn on Thursday, forcing them to address the matter in a statement.
In it, the Bears asserted that their focus remains solely on either their property in Arlington Heights, Illinois, or available grounds in Hammond, Indiana. Indiana has been public about their interest in the Bears.
Meanwhile, the process in Arlington Heights has been bogged down with red tape.
Then there is Chicago, where the Bears currently play, but also an option they say they have crossed off their list after “exhausting” the possibilities.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken a special interest in the project, while Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is eager to get a deal done. Notably, the NFL is in alignment with Pritzker’s sentiments regarding finding a resolution sooner rather than later.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also acknowledged the Bears’ options, sans Chicago.
That would seem to settle most of the debate, but the Bears still felt compelled to address the latest push from Johnson to keep the Bears in Chicago.
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