The Chicago Bears are poised to make a swift and significant addition to head coach Ben Johnson’s staff, with a seasoned veteran now officially on the market. Eric Studsville, a respected running backs coach with deep ties to both Johnson and the Bears organization, is available after the Miami Dolphins opted not to retain him under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
This development comes just days after Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune identified Studsville as a name to watch for the vacancy created by Eric Bieniemy’s departure. The alignment of need, availability, and connection makes this a potential rapid hire for the Bears’ front office. Studsville’s three-decade NFL resume is both extensive and impressive, marking him as a prime candidate.
His history with the Bears dates to 1997, where he began his NFL coaching career as a quality control coach. He later served as wide receivers coach and assistant special teams coach from 1999-2000 before embarking on a journey that included stops with the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos. In Denver, he served as interim head coach following Josh McDaniels’ midseason firing in 2010.
Studsville’s most recent tenure was a lengthy and stable seven-year run with the Miami Dolphins from 2017 to 2024. He held titles including running backs coach, run game coordinator, co-offensive coordinator, and associate head coach, surviving multiple head coaching changes—a testament to his value and adaptability. Crucially, his time in Miami overlapped with Ben Johnson for three seasons from 2017 to 2019.
This existing relationship with Johnson is considered a major factor in the Bears’ likely interest. Johnson, entering his second year, has emphasized building a cohesive and demanding culture, and bringing in a trusted, experienced lieutenant like Studsville would reinforce that vision. The need to replace Bieniemy’s high-level expertise makes the fit even more logical.
Meanwhile, Eric Bieniemy, now officially reinstalled as the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, offered revealing comments about his single season in Chicago. In an interview, he called the Bears “a great organization” and stated his time there “felt like home,” making his decision to return to Andy Reid and the Chiefs exceptionally difficult.
Bieniemy’s praise underscores the cultural shift Johnson has engineered in a short time. A coach with Bieniemy’s pedigree, having experienced both championship environments and rebuilding projects, does not offer such sentiment lightly. His remarks signal a newfound league-wide respect for the Bears’ direction under Johnson and General Manager Ryan Poles.
The potential hiring of Studsville would represent a continuation of that deliberate team-building. His expertise in developing run games and his history of longevity could prove invaluable for a backfield featuring Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and D’Andre Swift. He is viewed as a coach who can maintain the standard set last season.
This staff movement occurs as the Bears also celebrate individual recognition for a key offensive lineman. Veteran left tackle Joe Tuni has been named a finalist for the annual “Protector of the Year” award, honoring his pivotal role in safeguarding quarterback Caleb Williams during his rookie campaign.
Tuni is one of six finalists, joining notable names like Chiefs center Creed Humphrey and Lions tackle Penei Sewell. His immediate impact following a trade last offseason was profound, providing Williams with a stable and reliable blindside presence that contributed significantly to the offense’s improved performance and the quarterback’s development.
The Bears’ offensive line, long a area of concern, found a cornerstone in Tuni. His leadership and consistent elite play elevated the entire unit, a fact reflected in the team’s markedly improved pressure-to-sack ratio. At an age where many linemen decline, Tuni displayed no signs of regression, even filling in adeptly at left tackle on a short week for a critical late-season game.
As the Bears navigate the offseason, the potential acquisition of Eric Studsville is a football decision that aligns with multiple organizational priorities: leveraging existing relationships, valuing proven experience, and maintaining a specific cultural standard. It is a move that addresses a key vacancy with a known quantity, minimizing disruption.
The broader narrative, reinforced by Bieniemy’s comments and Tuni’s recognition, is one of a franchise rapidly solidifying its identity. From the head coach to the coaching staff to the players on the field, the Bears are constructing a foundation built on competence, respect, and high performance. A hire like Studsville fits that blueprint perfectly.
All eyes now turn to Halas Hall to see if this logical connection becomes a formal announcement. With the coach available and the need clear, the Bears have an opportunity to efficiently and effectively complete their offensive staff, allowing the focus to remain squarely on building upon a promising first year under Ben Johnson’s leadership.
The coming days will likely provide clarity on the running backs coach position, but the momentum undeniably points toward a reunion in Chicago. For a team with rising expectations, securing a coach of Studsville’s caliber would be another quiet but crucial win in an offseason dedicated to sustainable contention.
