The Chicago Bears have made the cycle's most intriguing head coaching hire, luring former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to The Windy City. Johnson is already busy at task compiling his coaching staff. He's apparently identified a top Tennessee Titans staffer as his potential offensive coordinator.
Johnson interviewed Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree for his OC vacancy, according to multiple national reports. Hardegree just completed his first season in Nashville. He was appointed by head coach Brian Callahan as a top offensive staffer, and remains under contract with the Titans.
The #Bears have interviewed #Titans QB coach Bo Hardegree for OC, source said. He was on the staff with Ben Johnson with the #Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2025
Hardegree has experience with developing QBs. With the #Raiders, he took over play-calling in 2023 and had a winning record with a rookie QB. pic.twitter.com/GeVgz8wBWD
The Titans couldn't block Johnson's request because it's technically a promotion in title. Johnson is extremely likely to call plays in Chicago, meaning Hardegree would be an offensive coordinator only in title. Hardegree is probably still intrigued by the opportunity, one that would include a chance to work directly with last year's No. 1 overall pick quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Johnson and Hardegree have shared history together, hence his candidacy in Chicago. They previously spent three campaigns together (2016-18) on the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff.
It also wouldn't be Hardegree's first stint as an offensive coordinator. He briefly held that role on an interim basis with the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 season. The Raiders concluded the season with a winning record when isolating their games to Hardegree's promotion. He did quality work with rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell, potentially making him a good fit to coach Williams in Chicago.
That's partially what made Callahan identify Hardegree as an ideal quarterbacks coach for the 2024 Titans. Together, Callahan and Hardegree were tasked with helping develop sophomore quarterback Will Levis. Their mission obviously backfired miserably, with Levis struggling all season long, leading to multiple stints on the bench, for both performance-related and recurring injury issues.
Veteran backup Mason Rudolph often played in Levis' absence. Rudolph also struggled with turnovers, ensuring Tennessee received some of the worst quarterback play in the entire league throughout 2024. It's hardly an indictment on Hardegree, more-so reflecting Callahan's first-year offense and personnel shortcomings as a whole. That blame shouldn't fall at Hardegree's feet.
If Hardegree lands the Bears' offensive coordinator gig, Callahan will be tasked with appointing a new quarterbacks coach. Callahan is in the middle of making staffing changes, including the expected hiring of the legendary John "Bones" Fassel as special teams coordinator. A potential in-house promotion candidate would be assistant wide receivers coach Payton McCollum, who previously coached quarterbacks at the college ranks.