With several teams looking for new head coaches, the league is in the process of being shaken up. A lot of sidelines will look different next season, as several franchises have decide to go in a new direction. The New Orleans Saints are among the teams hiring a new coach, and while they haven’t decided on a candidate yet, one recent hire has sent a ripple effect back to New Orleans.
On Monday, the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson to be their next head coach. The former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator was considered the top candidate on the market, and he was prepared to become a head coach, because he quickly start assembling his staff. Shortly after the news broke that he’d be going to Chicago, it was reported that Dennis Allen is the leading candidate to join his staff as defensive coordinator.
Allen isn’t the only former Saints coach that could end up on the Bears staff either. It’s also being reported that Chicago is heavily pursuing Darren Rizzi to be the team’s special teams coordinator.
New Orleans will play the Chicago Bears in a road game during the 2025 season, so that means the Saints could be facing Allen and Rizzi, just a season after they both served as head coach for the team.
Bears also are heavily pursuing former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their special teams coach, per sources. He has interest from over a half-dozen teams but if Rizzi doesn’t land a head coaching job, Chicago is his potential landing spot. https://t.co/ErIQmZ3te9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
Bears interested in adding former Saints coaches Dennis Allen and Darren Rizzi
While New Orleans moved on from Allen, and likely will from Rizzi as well, it’s no surprise that both guys will quickly land on their feet. Both are respected coaches for their specific disciplines, and they’d definitely make an impressive staff in Chicago with Ben Johnson.
The interesting part is that the Saints could be facing them as soon as next year. It’s still unclear who’ll be coaching New Orleans, but if Allen and Rizzi do end up in Chicago, the game will have some fun storylines.