The Chicago Bears have hired Ben Johnson as their next head coach, and they are quickly assembling the rest of the coaching team. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Bears are actively pursuing former New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi to be their special teams coordinator.
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
Rizzi is a long-time special teams coordinator in the NFL with ties to Johnson. He began his career with the Miami Dolphins during Johnson’s tenure, and he served as special teams coordinator from 2011 to 2018. He also served as associate head coach from 2017 to 2018.
In 2019, he joined the Saints as special teams coordinator and then became associate head coach. After Dennis Allen was dismissed in the middle of the 2024 season, Rizzi served as interim head coach and led the team to a 3-5 record.
According to Schefter, Rizzi is a highly respected special teams coordinator who is attracting interest from across the league. He’s in the running for a head coaching position, but if he doesn’t get it, the Bears could be his ultimate destination. It would also provide Johnson with another coach on his staff with extensive experience, having previously served as a head coach. The Bears are also reportedly in a position to hire Allen as defensive coordinator.
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