CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have officially pivoted their offensive coordinator search to the desert. After losing offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week, Head Coach Ben Johnson has formally requested to interview Arizona Cardinals pass game specialist Connor Senger for the vacancy, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The move comes on the heels of a quiet rejection. Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters declined Chicago’s request to interview, opting to remain with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rather than join Johnson’s staff. With the 2026 Scouting Combine approaching, Johnson is moving quickly to secure a young, innovative mind to partner with quarterback Caleb Williams.
The “Fastest-Rising” Coach in the NFL
Connor Senger, 30, might not be a household name yet, but his trajectory suggests he won’t be anonymous for long. A product of the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship (2022), Senger rocketed up the Cardinals’ organizational chart, moving from a fellowship role to a key offensive strategist in just four seasons.
His stock hit an all-time high last week at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where his work as an offensive coordinator turned heads across the league. Eric Galko, the Shrine Bowl’s director of operations, didn’t mince words regarding Senger’s potential.
“Connor Senger is absolutely a rising star in the NFL coaching world. His leadership, communication, organization and creativity stand out among the OCs we’ve had the last five years. Special player-caller and offensive leader.” — Eric Galko, Shrine Bowl Director (via X)
Senger has already interviewed with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers this cycle. If he accepts Chicago’s request, he would be the first verified candidate to sit down with Johnson since Doyle’s exit.
Why Troy Walters Said No
The Bears’ initial swing at Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters missed. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Walters preferred the stability of Cincinnati’s high-powered offense over the uncertainty of a new role in Chicago.
The rejection highlights a specific hurdle in Johnson’s search: Play-calling duties. Because Ben Johnson retains play-calling control—a setup that fueled the Bears’ top-10 offensive finish in 2025—veteran coaches like Walters often view the OC role as a lateral move with limited autonomy. This dynamic naturally shifts the candidate pool toward younger, hungry strategists like Senger or the recently departed Doyle, who view the position as a vital stepping stone.
The Doyle Blueprint
Johnson’s blueprint for the position is clear: Find a young grinder who can handle the architectural load of the game plan while the head coach calls the shots on Sunday. It worked flawlessly with Declan Doyle.
Hired away from the Denver Broncos last offseason as the NFL’s youngest coordinator, Doyle helped engineer the offensive turnaround that propelled Caleb Williams to a Pro Bowl-caliber season. That success launched Doyle directly into the Ravens’ play-calling chair less than 12 months later. Senger, with his background in quarterback development and pass-game concepts, fits the exact same profile.
Another Hole to Fill: RB Coach
The coordinator spot isn’t the only fire Johnson needs to put out. The Bears are also hunting for a running backs coach after the Kansas City Chiefs poached Eric Bieniemy back to be their offensive coordinator in January.
Bieniemy’s impact in Chicago was massive. He oversaw the league’s third-ranked rushing attack in 2025, revitalizing veteran D’Andre Swift (1,087 yards, 9 TDs) and unearthing a seventh-round gem in rookie Kyle Monangai. Monangai, the former Rutgers standout, emerged as a bruising compliment to Swift, but he will now enter his sophomore campaign under new leadership.
What’s Next
If Senger accepts the interview, expect the process to move at lightning speed. Johnson cannot afford a prolonged search with free agency looming in March. The priority is clear: secure a coordinator who speaks the same language as Caleb Williams and find a running backs coach who can maintain the ground dominance established by Bieniemy.
