As the Chicago Bears continue to rebuild under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, one of the most crucial aspects of their strategy is the composition of their coaching staff. In a sport as complex as football, a strong, well-rounded staff can often be the difference between a franchise’s success and failure. With the Bears coming off a disappointing season but showing promise with their young roster, the continued reshaping of their coaching staff is one of the most exciting aspects of their offseason.
This offseason, the Bears have made several key coaching additions to strengthen various parts of their team. From bolstering the offense with fresh ideas to solidifying the defense under Eberflus’ tutelage, the moves reflect the Bears’ commitment to improving every facet of their team. In this blog post, we’ll break down the latest additions to the Bears’ coaching staff, how they’ll help the team moving forward, and what each of these hires means for the future of the franchise.
### **1. Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy’s Continued Role in Development**
One of the key components of the Bears’ coaching staff that has already been established is Luke Getsy, the team’s offensive coordinator. In his first season with Chicago, Getsy faced the tall task of trying to get the most out of a young Justin Fields and an offense that was void of top-tier receiving talent. While the results were far from perfect in 2022, Fields showed significant development, particularly with his ability to make plays with his legs. Getsy’s role in this development is vital, and his continuity as offensive coordinator is critical in ensuring that Fields takes another step forward.
However, the key to Getsy’s success will be his ability to further unlock Fields’ potential as a passer. In 2022, Fields displayed his elite athleticism but still struggled with consistency in the passing game. With the Bears’ additions in the receiving corps (such as DJ Moore, Tyler Scott, and others), Getsy now has an opportunity to design an offense that is more balanced and less reliant on Fields’ legs. The arrival of new weapons and a greater focus on the passing game will likely be a central theme in Getsy’s approach this season. This is where the next step of Fields’ progression could come, and Getsy’s play-calling will play a pivotal role.
### **2. Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams: The Steady Hand**
On the other side of the ball, the Bears have maintained continuity with defensive coordinator Alan Williams, who is entering his second season under Eberflus. Williams, a highly respected coach with years of experience as both a defensive coordinator and position coach, is responsible for overseeing the defense, which has struggled in recent years. However, the defense showed some positive signs in 2022, especially under the leadership of Eberflus and Williams. The unit, though lacking in star power, displayed discipline and improvement in certain areas.
In 2023, the defense will be key for the Bears, particularly in the NFC North, where teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions can put up points in a hurry. Williams’ task will be to continue building a solid defense that can limit big plays and create turnovers. While the Bears’ pass rush has been a concern in recent years, this offseason saw the acquisition of edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, giving Williams a crucial weapon to pair with standout linebacker Roquan Smith, who remains one of the team’s most important defensive players.
Williams will also have to mold the younger players on defense, such as cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, into reliable contributors. The Bears’ defense has a promising future, but Williams will need to ensure that his players are in the right positions and playing at a high level to help balance out the offensive growing pains.
### **3. New Wide Receivers Coach Tyke Tolbert: A Veteran Presence**
The Bears made a significant coaching addition when they hired Tyke Tolbert to be their wide receivers coach. Tolbert brings a wealth of experience to Chicago, having coached receivers for over two decades across multiple NFL teams, including the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants. His experience with both developing young talent and coaching star players gives him the versatility needed for his new role with the Bears.
Tolbert’s expertise will be crucial as the Bears look to revitalize their receiving corps. The team made a bold move by acquiring veteran wideout DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers, and pairing him with young players like Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and rookie Tyler Scott creates a dynamic group. While Mooney and Claypool have flashed potential in past seasons, both players have faced inconsistency. Tolbert’s task will be to refine their skills, improve their route-running, and ensure that they can form a reliable tandem alongside Moore.
This is especially important for Justin Fields, who will need all the support he can get to develop as a quarterback. With Tolbert’s guidance, the Bears hope to establish a more potent passing attack, which has been the team’s Achilles’ heel in recent years.
### **4. Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower: Setting the Foundation for Success**
Another significant hire for the Bears was Richard Hightower, who was brought in as the special teams coordinator. Special teams often get overlooked in discussions of team performance, but they are often the deciding factor in close games. Hightower’s addition to the Bears’ staff brings in an experienced coach with a track record of success.
Hightower has coached special teams for several NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, where he was part of a staff that helped create one of the most consistent special teams units in the league. Hightower’s experience with kick returners, punters, and field goal kickers will be crucial in ensuring that the Bears’ special teams are competitive. This could be an area where the Bears can gain an edge, as teams that excel on special teams often have an advantage in terms of field position and scoring opportunities.
The Bears have the potential to be a team that is competitive in all three phases of the game, and Hightower’s leadership on special teams will be crucial in maximizing those opportunities.
### **5. Offensive Line Coach Chris Morgan: Strengthening the Trenches**
One area where the Bears have faced consistent struggles in recent years is along the offensive line. The Bears have made strides in the past couple of seasons to improve their line, but it remains one of the key focus areas for the team. This is where the addition of Chris Morgan as the new offensive line coach comes into play.
Morgan, who has coached offensive lines for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, brings experience and a no-nonsense approach to improving offensive line play. Morgan will be tasked with developing a unit that can protect Justin Fields, open up running lanes for running back Khalil Herbert, and establish a strong foundation for the offense. The Bears have promising young players like Teven Jenkins and Braxton Jones, but they still need to solidify their offensive line to ensure that the offensive system can work smoothly.
Morgan’s work with the offensive line will be critical in 2023, as the Bears need a strong, balanced attack to succeed in the NFC North. If the offensive line can take the next step forward under his guidance, it will help unlock the potential of both Fields and the Bears’ ground game.
### **Conclusion: A Staff Built for Success**
As the Chicago Bears continue to build for the future, the team’s coaching staff is shaping up to be one of the most important elements of their growth. With experienced hires like Luke Getsy, Alan Williams, Tyke Tolbert, and Richard Hightower, the Bears are assembling a staff that blends experience with fresh ideas. Under Matt Eberflus’ leadership, this coaching staff is setting the foundation for long-term success.
The key to the Bears’ future success will be the development of Justin Fields, the refinement of their young roster, and building a team that can compete on both sides of the ball. With these key additions, the coaching staff is in place to guide the team through the challenges of the upcoming seasons. If the Bears can get the most out of their coaching staff and players alike, they could soon be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC North.