Bears Eye Bo Hardegree, Bobby Slowik for Offensive Coordinator Role

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Bears are actively searching for an offensive coordinator to complete Ben Johnson’s coaching staff, with Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree and recently fired Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik emerging as potential candidates.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Hardegree has already interviewed for the position. Hardegree, who previously worked with Johnson during their time with the Miami Dolphins under head coach Adam Gase, brings a wealth of experience, including stints as interim offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 and roles with the Patriots, Jets, Bears, and Broncos.

Meanwhile, Bobby Slowik, who was unexpectedly fired by the Houston Texans on Friday, has also entered the conversation. Slowik’s offense helped the Texans reach the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024, despite a statistical decline in the latter season. His work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in 2023, which earned Stroud Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, has drawn attention from teams seeking offensive expertise.

“The Bears need to get him in for an interview,” said a source familiar with the team’s search. “They need to pick his brain about how he brought Stroud along so quickly.”

Slowik’s dismissal came as a surprise, given his success in Houston. The Texans’ offense ranked 13th in scoring and 12th in yardage in 2023 but fell to 19th and 22nd, respectively, in 2024. Injuries and a lack of depth were cited as major factors in the decline.

Hardegree, on the other hand, has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks, including his recent work with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph in Tennessee. His familiarity with Johnson and the Bears’ coaching staff could give him an edge in the hiring process.

As the Bears continue their search, the team is focused on finding a coordinator who can help reverse the struggles of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who showed flashes of brilliance but faced challenges in his first NFL season.

“It would be worth the interview and hire under the right circumstances,” said Gene Chamberlain, publisher of BearDigest.com. “They’ve had a lot of interviews in recent weeks that had far less of a chance at success.”