There’s plenty of hype surrounding the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2025 season, which comes with the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson and some young players looking to take a step forward.
While Chicago’s 2024 draft class featured just five players, it includes some potential franchise cornerstones led by quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze, as well as developmental picks in offensive tackle Kira Amegadjie and edge rusher Austin Booker and a special teams ace in punter Tory Taylor.
With that in mind, our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on which second-year player is poised to have the biggest impact in 2025, and it comes down to the big two.
Alyssa Barbieri: Dennis Allen (defensive coordinator)
There are some prime candidates for this spot (and for different reasons), but I’m going to settle with new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen given his role in setting this defense up for success, as well as his importance to head coach Ben Johnson. Allen is a well-respected defensive coordinator who’s looking to instill an aggressive, violent approach on defense – and he’s got the pieces to get it done. Allen, along with his coaching staff, will look to maximize the talent of some young players like Gervon Dexter Sr. and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, as well as put his stars, Jaylon Johnson and Montez Sweat, in positions to succeed.
Outside of defense, which Johnson is trusting Allen to handle, Allen will serve as a sounding board for the first-time head coach. While Antwaan Randle-El is technically the assistant head coach, Allen is the one who boasts 23 years of coaching experience including two former head coaching stints with the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints. Allen’s dual importance to the defense and Johnson make him one of the most important coaches for Chicago.
Brendan Sugrue: Antwaan Randle-El (wide receivers coach, assistant head coach)
Last season, everyone was throwing flowers at Ben Johnson’s feet for the work he was doing with the Detroit Lions offense. The recognition was deserved, of course, but I couldn’t help but zero in on the wide receivers and how well they developed over the last few years. Amon-Ra St. Brown became a top-five receiver in the league, while Jameson Williams went from a one-trick pony to a 1,000-yard weapon. Even journeyman veterans like Tim Patrick and Josh Reynolds thrived in Detroit. That was in part thanks to wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who reunited with Johnson in Chicago.
Randle El now gets to work with a receiving corps that has more talent than the one he first inherited with the Lions in 2021. He has DJ Moore, a proven veteran who is a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball, and Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick from a year ago and someone Randle El is extremely fond of. Randle El also gets a top rookie to develop in Luther Burden III, along with other savvy veterans such as Olamide Zaccheaus.
All of these pass catchers will be learning from one of the best receivers coaches, as well as someone who played the position at a high level. It’s exciting to think about what kind of development will be taking place this year up at Halas Hall.
Mike Pendleton: Al Harris (defensive backs coach)
Jaylon Johnson is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL but the supporting cast around him can always improve. Johnson and Kyler Gordon are the two centerpieces of the secondary, and Al Harris has a reputation of making very good talent even greater. When he coached the Dallas Cowboys, he had Trevon Diggs in 2021, and DaRon Bland in 2023, lead the league in interceptions.
More than anything, Harris will be tasked with building the other corners around Johnson and Gordon, which includes Tyrique Stevenson. There’s no denying the talent that Stevenson has, but his decision making made headlines for all the wrong reasons last season.
If Jaquan Brisker can return to his healthy form and Kevin Byard continues to play as a high-level veteran, Harris will have plenty of talent to work with in the secondary. Getting this Bears secondary to become an elite group will only make the other areas on the defense that much stronger. It’ll be very interesting to see just how good Harris can make this group.
Vincent Parise: Dennis Allen (defensive coordinator)
The offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears isn’t irrelevant by any means. However, new head coach Ben Johnson is going to oversee that unit and call plays. It will be his schemes, playbook, and personnel decisions. However, on defense, it will be a different story. An offensive minded guy like Ben Johnson will rely on his defensive coordinator as if he’s a second head coach.
There will be pressure on Allen. Chicago’s defense took a step back last year, although there were injuries. Allen’s job is to clean up the mess that was left behind for him. It would make everyone’s job easier if Ryan Poles acquired an incredible pass rushing edge rusher ahead of 2025, but that is for Allen to work around until a move is made.
Although the Bears have a few more needs on this side of the ball, Dennis Allen has good players to work with. If he can get the most out of guys like Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson, he will have a big impact on this team as far as a coach goes.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears new coach (not named Ben Johnson) who will have biggest impact in 2025
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Brendan Sugrue, Mike Pendleton and Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
