Ben Johnson is set to interview the first candidate for his offensive coordinator opening. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears have requested an interview with Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree.
Johnson and Hardegree worked alongside each other during their stints in Miami. Hardegree spent three years coaching Dolphins QBs, including the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler, and Brock Osweiler. Hardegree later followed head coach Adam Gase to New York, where he had a two-year stop as an offensive assistant.
Following a one-year stay in New England, Hardegree left for the Raiders in 2022. He took on the added responsibility of offensive play-calling in 2023, and the Raiders offense performed admirably despite a revolving door at QB (Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, and rookie Aidan O’Connell). The coach finished that latter campaign as interim OC following the ousting of Mick Lombardi (alongside HC Josh McDaniels), but he wasn’t retained on Antonio Pierce‘s 2024 staff.
Hardegree spent this past season working as QBs coach with the Titans, where the tandem of Will Levis and Mason Rudolph struggled mightily. Still, that wasn’t enough to dissuade the Bears from seeking an interview with the offensive mind. It’s uncertain how much responsibility Chicago’s new offensive coordinator will have with Johnson running the show. That could end up being a positive for someone like Hardegree who lacks extensive experience.
Hardegree is the first definitive candidate for the OC job. Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle has been mentioned as a potential candidate, as was Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley, who has since recommitted to sticking in Detroit.