Johnson reflects on losing key offensive minds, highlighting their impact and praising their character as they pursue new opportunities elsewhere.
The Chicago Bears had to make some staff changes this offseason after losing offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy.
The two made their impact on the Bears in just one year with the franchise. The Bears finished in the top 15 in the NFL for passing yards, rushing yards, and points per game.
Under Bieniemy, the running game flourished in Chicago. The Bears ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 144.5. D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai turned into a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
It was tough to replace people like Doyle and Bieniemy, but the Bears brought in Eric Studesville from the Miami Dolphins and promoted passing game coordinator Press Taylor to OC.
Head coach Ben Johnson was asked what it was like to lose two key assistants like Doyle and Bieniemy. He couldn't say enough about the kind of people they were as coaches and men.
"Yeah. No, I think let me start by saying this," Johnson said. "You know, you lose two really good coaches in Eric Bieniemy and Declan Doyle. I can't say enough about either one of those two guys and the contributions that they made last year in their own way. I think we've been very much a proponent of wanting guys to move on, and if they find another role or another job that they feel like they want to take a shot at, then I'm all for it. And you know, I think both those teams, both Kansas City and Baltimore, are getting two phenomenal people and football coaches."
The Baltimore Ravens could really use someone like Doyle after the struggles they had on offense. The Ravens had the fifth-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL at 192.8.
When they ran the ball, they were pretty good, finishing second in rushing yards per game at 156.6. We'll see if Doyle can bring a more balanced attack to Baltimore with him now that he'll be calling the plays.
The Chiefs' offense took a drop off in production under former Bears head coach Matt Nagy. Kansas City was 16th in passing yards (232.2), 25th in rushing yards (106.6) and 21st in points per game (21.3).
Doyle and Bieniemy were great hires who are set up for success with their new teams. It says something about the state of this Bears' organization that Johnson is wishing them the best.