Tag: Chicago Bears

Steelers game in Dublin will be 2nd in team history

The Steelers played a preseason game in Dublin in 1997.

On Friday morning, the NFL announced the Pittsburgh Steelers would be playing one of the 2025 home games in Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park Stadium. This will be the league’s first regular season game in Ireland but it won’t be the first time the NFL has played a game at Croke Park. Or the first time the Steelers have played there.

Back in 1997, the Steelers and Chicago Bears squared off in a historical preseason showdown in Dublin.

Dubbed the American Bowl, it was a homecoming for the Rooney Family and the only time the NFL has played in Ireland. Head coach Bill Cowher brought his team into Croke Park Stadium and despite it only being an exhibition, put on a great show for the fans in attendance. The Steelers beat the Bears 30-17 on the strength of Kordell Stewart and Jerome Bettis.

The Steelers went on to finish 11-5 in 1997 and lost the conference championship game against the Denver Broncos.

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Virginia McCaskey’s final game as Bears owner was a victory over the Packers

Caleb Williams gave Virginia McCaskey a glimpse of the Bears’ future in her last game.

On Thursday morning, the Chicago Bears announced that principal owner Virginia McCaskey had died at the age of 102. McCaskey had presided over the Bears since 1983 and was the eldest child of Bears founder George Halas, one of the most important people in pro football history.

Unfortunately for McCaskey, while the Bears flirted with greatness now and then during her primary control of the team — a berth in Super Bowl 41 comes to mind — they were mostly an afterthought, especially starting in the early 1990s.

But if McCaskey could take one solace in one thing, it was getting to see a potential glimpse of the future in her last Bears vs. Green Bay Packers matchup.

To close the 2024 NFL season, Caleb Williams’ Bears went into Lambeau Field and stunned their long-time rivals with a thrilling last-second victory. It was spurred by an awesome game-winning drive led by Williams, which culminated in this 51-yard field goal from Cairo Santos:

Regardless of what happens next for Williams’ Bears, McCaskey got to see her team beat the Packers one last time. That’s special. May she rest in peace.

Chicago Bears principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey dies at 102

Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey dies at 102

The Chicago Bears announced on Thursday the death of team owner Virginia Halas McCaskey.

She was 102.

The team released a statement:

“Mrs. McCaskey understood, not only her father’s love and appreciation of football and the team which he played for, coached and owned, but also the love of the Chicago Bears by its fans. She always kept in mind what the Bears meant to the City of Chicago and what the city meant to the Bears.

“She had a passion for the team that matched her father’s, celebrating every win with grace while quietly suffering every loss. She made it a point to attend every game she could, both home and away, and was alive for eight of the Bears nine World Championships. As owner of the team, Mrs. McCaskey oversaw the franchise’s ninth World Championship and first Super Bowl title in 1985.”

The family released a statement:

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Super Bowl LIV: Eagles’ Vic Fangio previously coached with Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens in the early 2000s when hall-of-fame legend Ray Lewis was on staff.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens in the early 2000s when hall-of-fame legend Ray Lewis was the star middle linebacker. Perhaps Vangio’s defensive genius will finally help the Eagles prevail against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

Fangio’s Eagles allow just 18.3 points per game in the postseason, but they were nearly upset by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. The win over the Rams is worth mentioning, given that quarterback Matthew Stafford, like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, is a Super Bowl Champion.

Fangio must account for the dynamic speed of Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy and decide where he wants to pick his poison versus the loaded opposing offense.

Will Fangio cover Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with Darius Slay? Will Fangio blitz Mahomes and double tight-end Travis Kelce? Indeed, a legend with Fangio’s experience will be needed to slow down the multifaceted attack of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Fortunately enough for the Eagles, Fangio has competent experience as a professional in the NFL, including work with a franchise known for defensive prowess – the Ravens.

Cowboys add 4th former Bears assistant to defensive coaching staff under Eberflus

From @ToddBrock24f7: Bryan Bing was the Bears’ assistant DL coach last year in Chicago. He’ll reunite with Matt Eberflus in the same role in Dallas in 2025.

The Cowboys defense in 2025 could have a decidedly Chicago feel to it, at least based on the most recent hires to the coaching staff on that side of the ball.

Whether or not that’s a good thing may depend on what stats are being considered.

The Cowboys on Wednesday named Bryan Bing the team’s new assistant defensive line coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer. Bing most recently served in the same capacity for the Bears last season, which was his first in that role under then-head coach Matt Eberflus.

Since being named defensive coordinator in Dallas, Eberflus has brought several of his Bears defensive staffers with him, with Bing being the fourth so far.

Andre Curtis (passing game coordinator), Dave Borgonzi (linebackers coach), and David Overstreet (assistant defensive backs coach) have all rejoined Eberflus since he was named the DC in Dallas on Jan. 28.

With Bing and those assistants, Chicago’s defense allowed 370 points in 2024. That was good for a 13th-place ranking leaguewide and was, notably, nearly 100 points better than the Cowboys.

Yardage-wise, though, the Bears gave up the sixth-most over the course of the season, ending one spot- and just 17 yards- better than Dallas. The Bears were tied for second-worst in yards allowed per play, with 5.9.

And when it comes specifically to run defense, where Bing focused his efforts along the defensive line, Chicago finished neck-and-neck with the Cowboys, logging almost identical numbers near the bottom of the NFL in both total rushing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed per carry.

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The Bears gave up “only” 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024 (tied for seventh-worst), as compared to the league-worst 25 allowed by the Cowboys. And while the Cowboys’ red-zone defense was the league’s most porous, allowing a touchdown 75% of the time, Chicago’s was second-best with a conversion rate from opponents of just 46%.

Dallas did end the season with more sacks and a better pressure rate than Chicago.

Prior to last season with the Bears, Bing spent the 2023 season on a coaching fellowship in Indianapolis. That came after a seven-year college coaching career that took him to five different schools and culminated in two seasons as the D-line coach at Wofford.

Dallas’s assistant DL coach spot was filled last year by former Cowboys player Greg Ellis, Sharrif Floyd in 2023, and franchise legend Leon Lett for three seasons prior to that.

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Former Panthers HC Ron Rivera going back to school in new role

The winningest head coach in Panthers history is going back to school.

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is about to be the big man on campus, again.

As first reported by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones on Wednesday afternoon, Rivera is set to take a “general manager-like” position at his alma mater of the University of California. Per Jones, the 63-year-old will undertake a role similar to that of Stanford University’s Andrew Luck—helping guide the program through the new landscape of college athletics.

Rivera played at UC Berkeley from 1980 to 1983. The ex-linebacker was named the Pac-10 Football Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in his final season for the Golden Bears.

The Seaside, Calif. native would then be selected in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, for whom he’d spend his entire nine-year pro career with.

His first head-coaching gig came with the Panthers beginning in 2011. Rivera went on to lead Carolina to 76 regular-season wins, the most by a head coach in franchise history, along with three NFC South titles and the organization’s second-ever Super Bowl appearance.

He last coached for the Washington Commanders, whom he led from 2020 to 2023.

Before taking his new job at UC Berkeley, Rivera interviewed for three head-coaching vacancies (New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders) and a senior defensive assistant role (Jacksonville Jaguars) this offseason.

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Titans hire Travis Smith as defensive run game coordinator

The Tennessee Titans have added to their coaching staff with the hiring of Travis Smith as their defensive run game coordinator.

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan has been busy reworking his staff this offseason and that process continued on Monday.

The Titans officially announced the hire of Travis Smith as their defensive run game coordinator.

Smith brings a wealth of experience to the table after starting out in the college ranks with Santa Monica Junior College in 2010 and starting his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2012.

During his 10 years with the Raiders, he worked his way from defensive assistant to assistant defensive line coach before moving to the Chicago Bears in 2022 as defensive line coach. While with Chicago, the Bears consistently had a solid defensive front, leading the league in rush defense in his second season (2023).

Smith appears to be another solid veteran hire for Callahan, who is looking to improve on his miserable 3-14 debut season.

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Ben Johnson’s Bears staff filling up with former Saints coaches

The New Orleans Saints will have another former coach of theirs joining the Chicago Bears, this time an offensive line coach:

The New Orleans Saints will have another former member of their staff heading off to a new team this offseason, as their prior offensive line coach among other positions Dan Roushar is heading to the Chicago Bears for the same role. Roushar was with the Saints from 2013 to 2022 and filled a variety of roles as the running backs coach, offensive line coach, tight ends coach and run game coordinator at various points throughout his tenure.

Roushar will join a Bears staff under Ben Johnson that has already added former Saints in Dennis Allen, Declan Doyle, and Bill Johnson in recent weeks, and has built a respectable group to bring the team back from some tough seasons. The Saints continue their search for a new head coach with Kellen Moore being the current favorite, who will have to flesh out a new assistant coaching staff of his own.

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ESPN details how Ben Johnson landed with the Chicago Bears

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin details how former Lions OC Ben Johnson landed with the Chicago Bears as their head coach

“I want this job!” Those were the first words former Lions offensive coordinator and new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson told team chairman George McCaskey during his interview for the position, according to a story from Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Cronin detailed the interview process for Johnson and for the Bears that led to Johnson taking over the lead role in Chicago, which was officially announced on January 21. Johnson was one of 17 candidates to interview for the job, including former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and two coaches that landed jobs in other places, Mike Vrabel (Patriots) and Pete Carroll (Raiders).

Chicago first interviewed Johnson on January 11, during Detroit’s bye week in the playoffs. That allowed the Bears to set up a second interview with Johnson after Detroit’s season ended in the Divisional Round. The Bears, however, waited a bit out of respect to Johnson, allowing him time to recover after the Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders.

“The Bears’ contingent ultimately decided against making the trip, opting to let Johnson deal with the disappointment of losing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed,” wrote Cronin. “Johnson had spurned previous head coaching opportunities because he wanted to win a Super Bowl with Detroit, but now he knew he would be moving on.”

Chicago couldn’t wait too long, however. The Las Vegas Raiders were reportedly lurking and ready to strike for Johnson with a group that included minority owner, 7-time Super Bowl winner and Fox’s No. 1 game analyst Tom Brady.

“Though the Bears wanted to respect Johnson’s time and space, there also was a sense of urgency,” wrote Cronin. “There was a feeling Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was making a push for Johnson, and even if the Bears didn’t believe that to be true, there were other openings Johnson might consider. The Bears emphasized ‘culture and the quarterback’ during the interviews, according to someone familiar with the process, and they were convinced Johnson would excel on both counts, including maximizing Caleb Williams’ potential.”

Not only did Johnson seem to have the support of the top brass in Chicago, but the fans were also showing their strong support in wanting Johnson to come coach quarterback Caleb Williams.

According to Cronin’s story, Bears president Kevin Warren went to dinner with his wife, Greta, at Old Pueblo Cantina. Cronin wrote, “With the (Commanders-Lions) game on the bar’s big screen, Bears fan Chris Stein sent two shots of tequila to the Warrens with a note written by Stein’s girlfriend, Ryanne Braun.

“‘Kevin,

Please, hire Ben!!’

Warren responded by sending back two shots. Message received.”

Johnson reportedly received a five-year contract worth $13 million per year, a very high number for a first-year coach, but as Cronin noted in her story, the Bears weren’t “cutting corners” when it came to paying Johnson. His annual salary is more than double what the Bears were paying former head coach Matt Eberflus ($6 million).

Johnson is now tasked with working with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and an offense that ranked 26th in expected points added (EPA) per play, at -0.08. For reference, Johnson’s Lions ranked No. 3 in that category at 0.15. Only the Baltimore Ravens (0.21) and Buffalo Bills (0.18) fared better. Johnson had turned down head coaching positions in that, including the opening for the Carolina Panthers last offseason that ultimately went to Dave Canales. This is one he wanted and he’s eager and excited to get to work, especially with Williams.

“Having a quarterback helps,” Johnson said at his introductory press conference on January 22.

Johnson had blended youth and experience at the top of his coaching staff. Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen will be Johnson’s defensive coordinator while 28-year-old Declan Doyle, who spent the last two seasons as tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos, will be his offensive coordinator. Make no mistake about it, this is Johnson’s offense, but Doyle is considered a rising star in the coaching community. Johnson retained special teams coordinator Richard Hightower from Eberflus’ staff.

Detroit will sorely miss Johnson, but deep down, they knew it was his time. The Lions hired Broncos’ passing game coordinator John Morton as their new offensive coordinator. For Johnson, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime at a place Johnson is already familiar with. Not just because of the Lions’ rivalry with the Bears, but as Johnson said in his introductory press conference, “For the last 10-plus years, my family and I have been coming up for a Cubs series every summer. And it doesn’t take long to realize this place is special. These people are special.” In case you’re wondering, the Cubs visit the Tigers June 6-8.

A special place and a special opportunity for a special coach in Lions’ lore.

Darren Rizzi’s kickoff rules changes paid big dividends in 2024

Darren Rizzi pushed to change the kickoff rules in 2024, and the NFL was pleased with results. It resulted in longer kickoff returns, more touchdowns and fewer injuries:

Darren Rizzi is currently in the running for the New Orleans Saints head coaching vacancy, but he will be a sought after special teams coordinator if he isn’t selected. Ben Johnson wasted no time calling Rizzi after becoming the Chicago Bears head coach, but he’s expected to reunite with Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos staff if the Saints don’t hire him as their own head coach.

The success and return of the kickoff is a great display of why other teams will be calling his phone, as well. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the NFL is pleased with the improvements made to the play in 2024 due to the change of procedure.

It was Rizzi who pushed the procedure through. Instead of the kicking team being allowed to start running with the kicker, they now stand at the 40 yard line and wait for the ball to be kicked before they can run. The result was more kickoff returns, longer returns on average and an increase in touchdowns. Touchbacks were moved up to the 30 yard line rather than the 25. Most importantly, there have been fewer injuries on kickoffs.

It’s interesting to see how Rizzi had the Saints approach this compared to their peers around the league. While they faced the second-most kick returns (57), they allowed the sixth-fewest yards gained per return (26.0). No defense in the NFL started with better average field position than the Saints, too (their own 27.2 yard line). Rizzi bet on his coverage unit stopping the returner short of the touchback marker, and he often won that gamble.

Rizzi’s proactiveness in getting this rule passed reflects well on his special teams acumen and is a reason teams will flock towards him if he hits the market.

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