The Chicago Bears are at a critical juncture in their rebuilding phase, with a new offensive system in place designed to elevate quarterback Justin Fields and unlock the team’s offensive potential. One of the most important moves of this offseason has been the hiring of Ben Johnson as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Johnson, a rising star in the coaching ranks, has garnered praise for his innovative play designs and ability to maximize the strengths of his players. But Johnson won’t be alone in his efforts to revamp the Bears’ offense. Declan Doyle, the Bears’ new quarterbacks coach, has come onboard with a clear mission: to support and collaborate with Johnson to bring the team’s offensive aspirations to fruition.
In a recent interview, Declan Doyle shared his vision for how he plans to work hand-in-hand with Johnson to shape the Bears’ offense into a high-powered, efficient unit. Doyle’s approach revolves around developing a system that not only caters to Fields’ skill set but also integrates the offensive scheme that Johnson has proven to be successful in. Together, the duo hopes to bring balance to an offense that has been mired in inconsistency over the past few seasons.
In this post, we’ll break down Declan Doyle’s approach to supporting Ben Johnson as the Bears’ offensive coordinator and what that could mean for Chicago’s offense moving forward.
### The Ben Johnson Effect
Before diving into Doyle’s role, it’s important to understand the impact Ben Johnson has had in his relatively short coaching career. Johnson made a name for himself as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, where he developed a reputation for creating one of the most dynamic and versatile offenses in the NFL. Under Johnson’s watch, the Lions’ offense became known for its clever play designs, innovative use of motion, and a commitment to establishing both the passing and running games.
For the Bears, Johnson’s arrival is a sign of change, as the team has struggled with offensive consistency and has had a difficult time developing a potent offensive attack since the days of Matt Nagy. Johnson’s reputation for working well with quarterbacks, especially young, mobile signal-callers like Jared Goff, has fans in Chicago hopeful that he can bring out the best in Justin Fields. Fields, with his raw athleticism and big-play potential, represents the future of the franchise. Johnson’s ability to adapt his offense to suit Fields’ strengths—such as his strong arm and running ability—will be a key factor in determining the Bears’ success moving forward.
However, as talented as Johnson is, a head coach or offensive coordinator’s job is never a one-man show. Enter Declan Doyle.
### Declan Doyle’s Role as Quarterbacks Coach
Doyle brings an impressive background to his new role with the Bears. Before joining the team, he had stints coaching quarterbacks in both the NFL and college football. His most notable tenure was as a quarterbacks coach with the New York Jets, where he worked closely with their young quarterbacks. Doyle has earned a reputation for being a meticulous technician, with a keen eye for developing quarterbacks’ mechanics, footwork, and mental approach to the game.
For Fields, who is still in the process of refining his decision-making and throwing mechanics, Doyle’s role will be pivotal. Working directly with Fields, Doyle will focus on improving the quarterback’s fundamentals while ensuring that the QB is fully aligned with the offensive philosophy Johnson is implementing. Fields, whose raw talent has always been evident, needs to take the next step in his development. Doyle’s mentorship could be the catalyst for that transformation.
Doyle’s approach is to be a steadying influence, someone who can provide Fields with a clear understanding of the offense, help him grasp the nuances of reading defenses, and refine his technique. By working with Johnson to design tailored drills and game plans, Doyle hopes to create an environment where Fields can thrive in the system and gain confidence with each passing week.
### The Plan to Support Ben Johnson’s Scheme
Doyle is not just working to improve Fields in a vacuum—he is part of a larger plan to support Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme. Johnson’s offense is known for being multifaceted, with an emphasis on keeping defenses off balance. By utilizing a combination of spread concepts, play-action, and motion, Johnson aims to create mismatches and make it difficult for opposing defenses to predict what the Bears will do next.
For this to succeed, Doyle’s role will be to ensure that Fields is fully equipped to execute Johnson’s vision. This means building on the QB’s ability to read defenses quickly, make quick decisions, and trust his playmakers in space. Doyle explained that his focus will be on teaching Fields the mental side of the game: reading coverage, adjusting to defensive movements, and understanding when to take what the defense gives him rather than forcing throws.
“The biggest thing is making sure Justin understands how to process what he’s seeing in real time,” Doyle explained. “Ben’s offense is designed to make the quarterback’s job easier, but it still requires precision in reading the field. My job is to help him develop a consistent routine of going through his progressions, identifying key defenders, and making quick, confident decisions.”
One area where Doyle’s influence will be particularly important is in Fields’ development as a pocket passer. While Fields’ legs are an undeniable weapon, his ability to function as a traditional passer is essential for the Bears to become a well-rounded offense. Doyle aims to help Fields refine his mechanics, particularly his footwork in the pocket, to ensure that he is comfortable making throws from any platform. This means being able to make accurate throws while on the move and being poised under pressure—two elements that will be essential for Fields’ growth and success in Johnson’s offense.
### Integrating the Offensive Scheme
As much as the focus will be on Fields’ development, Doyle’s plan will also involve helping the team’s skill players gel within Johnson’s offensive system. Ben Johnson’s offense is predicated on balance, mixing a solid running game with a dynamic passing attack. Doyle’s role will be to ensure that the quarterback is able to work with the offensive line, running backs, and wide receivers to create fluidity in the scheme.
The Bears’ offensive line has been an area of concern, and for Fields to thrive, the front five will need to provide him with both protection and the ability to establish a solid running game. Doyle explained that the quarterback needs to develop a rapport with his offensive line and running backs to be successful in play-action situations and quick-game concepts. By working in tandem with Johnson’s play designs, Doyle will ensure that the quarterback understands how to move the ball efficiently and effectively.
Doyle will also work closely with the Bears’ receiving corps, which includes young, explosive talent like Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. The focus will be on building chemistry between Fields and his receivers, ensuring that they’re on the same page when it comes to timing, route running, and reading coverages. As Johnson incorporates motion and movement into the offense, Doyle’s guidance will be critical in helping Fields adapt to this dynamic system and execute it at a high level.
### The Bigger Picture: Building for the Future
In many ways, Doyle and Johnson’s collaboration represents a long-term investment in Fields’ future. The Bears have made it clear that their franchise quarterback is the centerpiece of the offense, and both coaches understand that their success hinges on Fields’ development. Doyle’s detailed approach to coaching will complement Johnson’s innovative system, ensuring that the young quarterback has all the tools he needs to succeed.
While the Bears’ offense won’t be transformed overnight, the building blocks are in place. With Doyle’s mentorship, Johnson’s creativity, and Fields’ growing understanding of the game, the Bears are positioning themselves for sustained offensive success.
### Conclusion
Declan Doyle’s role as quarterbacks coach is a key part of the Bears’ strategy to support Ben Johnson in his efforts to revamp the team’s offense. With an emphasis on developing Justin Fields, refining his mechanics, and ensuring the offense flows smoothly, Doyle’s plan will be integral to the Bears’ success. As the duo works together to bring out the best in their quarterback, Chicago fans can look forward to an offense that is not only tailored to Fields’ strengths but also designed to thrive in the modern NFL. If all goes according to plan, the Bears could soon see their offense transformed into a unit capable of competing with the league’s best.