Who is the next Chicago Bears assistant who could be highly sought after for job openings in the offseason? Find out below.
After last season went better than expected, the Chicago Bears had many teams calling for their assistant coaches.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle initially interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but then they went in a different direction. It seemed like he would be sticking around with the Bears, but he left for the Baltimore Ravens so that he could have a chance to be a play-caller.
The Bears then lost running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to the Kansas City Chiefs for another chance as their OC. Bieniemy played a role in the turnaround of the Bears' running game, which went from averaging the eighth-fewest yards (102) per game in 2024 to the third-most (144.5) in 2025.
Bieniemy was last the OC of the Chiefs from 2018-2022.
Even defensive backs coach Al Harris was targeted for a job in the offseason. Harris was linked to assistant openings with the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers but is returning to the Bears in 2026, which should make every fan happy, given how he got reliable play out of the secondary despite Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson being out for most of the year.
It's a strange feeling for Bears fans, as the franchise has struggled in recent years but is starting to turn things around. Other teams are now starting to get interested in Chicago's assistants.
Who is going to be the next assistant that could be snatched up for another job? The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue has the answer.
She recently predicted an assistant coach who could break out this season for every NFL team. For the Bears, it was tight ends coach Jim Dray.
"Other than the quarterback, Bears coach Ben Johnson has made it clear that tight end is the most important element of his layered, explosive offensive system," Rodrigue said. "That especially highlights Dray, whom Johnson retained from the Matt Eberflus-era staff. Dray will be coaching one of the most talented position rooms in the NFL, featuring Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland and rookie third-rounder Sam Roush."
Dray isn't a new face in the organization, as he has been on the coaching staffs of both Matt Eberflus and Ben Johnson. He joined the Bears in 2022 and did great work last season with rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who led the team with 713 receiving yards.
Now, he has another tight end to work with after the Bears drafted Sam Roush in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It would be interesting to see what kind of role Dray goes for if he does break out like Rodrigue predicts and leaves the Bears. Would he pursue another tight end coaching job or go for a bigger one, like offensive coordinator?
One thing is certain: Dray won't be the only Bears assistant coach targeted this offseason, given the way things are going.
