After losing multiple offensive assistants this offseason, the Bears turn to experience as Ben Johnson begins reshaping his staff with Eric Studesville as the running backs coach.
The Chicago Bears entered the offseason with a couple of coaching vacancies to fill.
And honestly, it could have been a lot worse.
Given how impressive the Bears were in 2025 — and how highly regarded Ben Johnson already is in league circles — Chicago was always going to be a target. Every team with a head-coaching or coordinator vacancy is trying to replicate what the Bears built with Johnson. By extension, they’re also trying to replicate his coaching staff, even if that means poaching assistants away.
So while it could have been worse, the Bears still took a hit.
Chicago lost offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to the Baltimore Ravens, where Doyle will have the opportunity to serve as the primary play-caller for two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. They also lost running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, who played a significant role in the development and production of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai — a duo that exceeded expectations in 2025.
Bieniemy returns to the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator, a role he previously held from 2018–2022 before Matt Nagy left to become the Bears’ head coach.
To replace Bieniemy, Ben Johnson turned to one of the most experienced and respected position coaches in the NFL.
The Bears hired Eric Studesville, a familiar name to longtime Chicago fans. Studesville first broke into the NFL in 1997 as an offensive quality control coach with the Bears under Dave Wannstedt. He was retained by Dick Jauron and remained with the organization for four seasons before landing his first running backs coach role with the New York Giants in 2001.
He’s been coaching running backs in the NFL ever since.
That’s more than 25 years of experience working with elite talent, including Tiki Barber, Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGahee, Knowshon Moreno, and most recently De’Von Achane. Along the way, Studesville has also served as a run game coordinator, co-offensive coordinator, and associate head coach at various points in his career.
This is a high-floor hire for Ben Johnson — and one that fits perfectly with the culture he’s building.
From the moment Johnson took over as head coach, one of his priorities was surrounding himself with experience. Yes, he went young with his offensive coordinator hire in Doyle, but even then, Bieniemy was a former offensive coordinator providing balance and perspective.
That theme runs throughout the staff.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is a former head coach with nearly a decade of experience as a DC.
Linebackers coach Richard Smith has served as a defensive coordinator for three different franchises and has been an NFL defensive assistant dating back to 1988.
Offensive line coach Dan Roushar brings more than 40 years of coaching experience across the NFL and college ranks.
The Bears’ staff is built on a blend of innovation from young, ascending coaches and the steadiness of veteran voices who aren’t chasing the next opportunity.
Studesville fits that mold perfectly, and Bears fans should be thrilled with the addition.
Even with Ben Johnson calling plays, the search for the Bears’ next offensive coordinator remains the elephant in the room. But if this first replacement hire is any indication, Chicago has little to worry about.
Just as we thought — the Bears are in good hands.