Green Bay's defensive architect departs for Miami. Bears fans can breathe easier, but a future road clash looms.
The Chicago Bears aren't the only team that is trying to keep its assistant coaches from leaving.
Bears running backs coach Eric Bieniemy is reportedly returning to the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator, a position he held from 2018-2022.
Bieniemy spent the 2023 season with the Washington Commanders in the same role and was the UCLA Bruins' OC in 2024.
He had a pivotal role in turning the Chicago running game around. D'Andre Swift (1,087) and Kyle Monangai (783) both had career-highs in rushing yards. Chicago ended the year with the third-most rushing yards per game (144.5).
Another assistant from the NFC North is reportedly being hired. This time, it's Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins are hiring Hafley to be their next head coach.
The Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel after a 7-10 finish to the 2025 season. McDaniel finished his tenure with a 35-33 record and two playoff appearances, losing in the Wild Card Round both times.
Hafley did a terrific job as the Packers' DC this season. Green Bay ranked 10th in passing yards allowed (206.8), 18th in rushing yards allowed (117.1) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.2) this season.
Hafley definitely had the Bears' number in 2025. In the three games that the Bears faced the Packers, Hafley's defense forced three turnovers.
He started his coaching career at the college level. Hafley's college resume features WPI (2001), Albany (2002-2005), Pittsburgh (2006-2010), Rutgers (2011) and Ohio State (2019). Hafley was head coach of the Boston College Eagles from 2020-2023.
The former Packers assistant is in his second stint in the NFL. His first NFL job was as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13). Hafley has previously been with the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and San Francisco 49ers (2016-18) in various assistant roles.
He joined the Packers as their DC in 2024 and has just secured his first NFL head coaching job.
Bears fans got the last laugh versus Hafley and his defense. Chicago put up 445 total yards of offense in the 31-27 comeback win in the Wild Card Round.
Fans can rest easy knowing that the Bears won't have to face Hafley's defense with the Packers again. In the last two meetings, Chicago's offense didn't score a touchdown until the fourth quarter.
The Bears will, however, face him and the Dolphins on the road in 2026. The Bears will be facing the AFC East next season.
We'll see how many other NFC North assistants stick around with their teams this offseason.