At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson shared how Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton played a role in helping him hire Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
“He worked with Declan the last couple of years, and I asked him, ‘How’s Declan doing? Is he ready to be a coordinator?’” Johnson explained, as quoted by Justin Rogers. “He said, ‘Ben, listen, he’s another Ben Johnson,’ which I think is a good thing. I’m banking on that being a good thing.”
Johnson went on to say, “I think he and I are a match made in heaven. He thinks a lot like me. It’s been great having him in the building the past few weeks. Extremely detailed. Extremely organized.
Age doesn’t matter. He’s going to earn the respect of not just the players but also his fellow coaches. I can already see that happening with the coaching staff meetings we’re having now. He’s very well-informed. Just like anyone, if you help make the people around you better, they’ll see value in you.”
At just 28 years old, Declan Doyle is now an NFL offensive coordinator. While Ben Johnson will be calling plays for the Bears in 2025, this is an excellent opportunity for Doyle to learn from one of the best offensive minds in the game.
Before joining the Bears, Doyle coached tight ends for the Denver Broncos for two seasons and spent four seasons as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints.