Bears, Ben Johnson hiring Eric Bienemy as running backs coach, retaining TE coach
The Bears have added yet another offensive coach with play calling experience. That brings the number to three and doesn’t include offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Eric Bienemy has been hired as the Bears running backs coach, a league source confirmed to Marquee Sports Network. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones was first to report the news.
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In addition, a source said that the Bears will retain tight ends coach Jim Dray. He is the second assistant from Matt Eberflus’ staff to stick around, along with special teams coordinator Richard Hightower.
Bienemy has been an offensive coordinator for more than a decade at the NFL and college ranks. He was UCLA’s offensive coordinator in 2024 and was with the Washington Commanders before that. He became a hot name on the coaching market during a five-season run as Kansas City OC, though Andy Reid was the play caller, but his stock has dropped a bit in recent seasons.
The former NFL running back was well respected coaching the position he played, which was his primary gig before becoming a coordinator. The Bears have D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson currently under contract and were the team’s primary rushers in the 2024 campaign.
Dray has been the Bears tight ends coach since 2022. Like Bienemy, he was also an NFL player.
The Bears have filled most of their offensive position-coach roles, with the offensive line the only one open at this time. There are more vacancies on the defensive side, with coordinator Dennis Allen having some say in those Ben Johnson hires.