Bears officially announce four coaching changes

Posted February 18, 2026 3:40 pm

By Michal Dwojak

The Bears on Wednesday officially announced four changes to Ben Johnson’s coaching staff for the 2026 season.

Chicago elevated passing game coordinator Press Taylor to the offensive coordinator role. The Bears also announced they hired Eric Studesville to be their running backs coach, Will Lawing as an offensive analyst and Isaiah Ford as an offensive quality control coach.

Johnson promoted Taylor after former offensive coordinator Declan Doyle left to become the play caller for the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor previously served as an offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars before he joined Johnson’s initial staff last year. He will provide stability for quarterback Caleb Williams and help Johnson prepare for matchups during the week and make in-game adjustments as Johnson focuses on calling plays.

Studesville returns to the Bears after serving in different roles for the Miami Dolphins from 2017 until last season including running backs coach. He spent time in Chicago from 1997-2000. Studesville originally served as an offensive quality control coach and offensive assistant for the Bears before becoming a wide receivers coach and assistant special teams coach.

The Dolphins had two 1,000-yard rushers during the last four years with Studesville leading the group. Studesville brings 29 years of coaching experience in the NFL.

Lawing joins the Bears after he served as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for Boston College the last two years. He was previously a tight ends coach for the New England Patriots in 2023 and also spent time with the Houston Texans in the NFL and Alabama, Penn State and Juniata at the college level. Lawing played at North Carolina with Johnson.

Ford will start his coaching career with the Bears after playing 32 games in the NFL as a wide receiver. The Dolphins drafted Ford in the seventh round in 2017 and played there until 2021 with a quick stint with the Patriots. Ford spent time with the Bears during training camp in 2023.

The Bears retained all of their defensive coaches. Bears defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Al Harris reportedly interviewed for defensive coordinator jobs.