The Chicago Bears have made a bold move, promoting Press Taylor to Offensive Coordinator, but is it a stroke of genius or a risky gamble?
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been on a mission, diligently scouting for the perfect candidate to fill the crucial Offensive Coordinator role. This search became necessary after Declan Doyle's departure to Baltimore, where he'll have the exciting opportunity to call plays and work alongside the two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson. After considering external talent like Arizona's passing game coordinator, Connor Senger, and other unrevealed prospects, Johnson opted to promote from within.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network broke the news: the team is elevating passing game coordinator Press Taylor to Offensive Coordinator. This decision might not come as a complete shock to many. Taylor brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously served as an Offensive Coordinator for three seasons in Jacksonville. While he didn't call the plays during that tenure – that responsibility fell to Head Coach Doug Pederson – he's certainly familiar with the demands of the position. At just 38 years old, Taylor is a young coach brimming with the potential for fresh, innovative ideas, something Coach Johnson has explicitly stated he's looking for. Ultimately, this is a situation where the head coach's judgment must be trusted. Johnson has had a front-row seat to Taylor's work throughout the past season, and if he believes Taylor is ready for this challenge, then it's a decision worth backing.
The #Bears are promoting passing game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator, giving coach Ben Johnson a new top lieutenant, per The Insiders.
Taylor was an OC with the #Jaguars until 2024 before working with Johnson. With Declan Doyle in Baltimore, Taylor is the OC. (Image and Tweet details omitted as per instructions)
However, handing the reins to Press Taylor is undeniably a gamble.
Some might recall that Taylor arrived in Chicago with a somewhat mixed reputation. His previous NFL stints saw him wield significant influence over the development of promising young quarterbacks. We saw this with Carson Wentz in Philadelphia and Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. In both instances, these quarterbacks began their careers with impressive performances, even reaching Pro Bowl-caliber play. But here's where it gets controversial... by their third season under Taylor's guidance, their performance took a noticeable nosedive. Many pointed fingers at Taylor for these significant downturns.
Here's a look at their stat lines:
- Carson Wentz (Eagles QB Coach):
- Season 1: 3,074 yards, 21 TDs, 7 INTs
- Season 2: 4,039 yards, 27 TDs, 7 INTs
- Carson Wentz (Eagles Passing Game Coordinator):
- Season 3: 2,620 yards, 16 TDs, 15 INTs
- Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars Offensive Coordinator):
- Season 1: 4,113 yards, 25 TDs, 8 INTs
- Season 2: 4,016 yards, 21 TDs, 14 INTs
- Season 3: 2,045 yards, 11 TDs, 7 INTs
Considering the critical juncture in Caleb Williams's own development, entrusting him to someone with this track record appears to be a considerable risk. And this is the part most people miss... it's also fair to question if Press Taylor was merely a convenient scapegoat for the shortcomings of Doug Pederson, who was ultimately the one making the play-calling decisions in both of those quarterback situations. This lingering uncertainty makes the promotion a tough sell. Furthermore, one can't help but wonder if Coach Johnson's decision was influenced by personal ties.
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It's worth noting that Taylor is the brother of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Ben Johnson and Zac Taylor share a history, having worked together for four years as assistants with the Miami Dolphins, and they remain good friends. In fact, Taylor even attempted to lure Johnson away from Detroit in 2020, reportedly offering a defensive position just to get him on his staff. It's certainly plausible to speculate whether this move by the Bears is a favor from Johnson to his friend, providing his younger brother with another opportunity to enhance his professional profile.
Is this overthinking it? Perhaps. The reality is, Press Taylor's career is marked by a mixed legacy. He was instrumental in Philadelphia's Super Bowl win in 2017 and helped elevate Lawrence to his first and, to date, only playoff victory. However, Johnson doesn't strike me as the type of coach to make such a significant decision for superficial reasons. He clearly believes Taylor possesses valuable qualities that can benefit this team. We'll have to wait and see what those are.
What do you think? Was promoting Press Taylor a wise move by Ben Johnson, or a risky gamble given his past with young quarterbacks? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with the decision, or do you have reservations? I'd love to hear your perspective!
