The NFL has attempted to help fast-track upward mobility by loosening restrictions on coordinator movement. Teams are no longer permitted to block OC interviews if the job would allow a non-play-calling OC to commandeer a call sheet for another team.
Chicago currently employs an assistant in this position, and teams are looking into Ben Johnson‘s non-play-calling OC. After the Eagles requested a Declan Doyle OC interview, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reports the Ravens have submitted a request to meet with the Bears’ OC.
Doyle, however, withdrew his name from the Eagles’ search today. It would be interesting if he went forward with a Ravens meeting after that decision. The Ravens hired Jesse Minter as their new HC last week. Doyle also came from the AFC West, serving as the Broncos’ tight ends coach prior to his Bears hire. Doyle, who was just 28 when hired by the Bears last year, had previously been on Sean Payton‘s final few Saints staffs.
The Bears transformed their offense in 2025. They ranked 28th in scoring during Caleb Williams‘ rookie year; they finished ninth this season. They ranked sixth in yardage and seventh in EPA per play. Johnson is naturally receiving most of the credit for that improvement, but Doyle was a central figure for Chicago’s offense as well. Rookie Colston Loveland led the Bears in receiving, and rookie running back Kyle Monangai went from seventh-round pick to 783-yard rusher as a rookie.
Being hired as an OC before age 30 is rare, and teams are taking notice. The Ravens are early in their OC search, but a few names have surfaced. Baltimore may still be eyeing Kliff Kingsbury, who interviewed for the job along with his HC meeting, but Lions assistant HC Scottie Montgomery is also on the team’s radar. Montgomery plans to take the meeting; once he does, the Ravens will be Rooney Rule-compliant. Kingsbury’s name primarily came up before Minter’s hire; it is notable Doyle’s has surfaced after the ex-Chargers HC took over.