There will reportedly be a notable name on Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s staff in his first year at the helm.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Chicago is hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as its next defensive coordinator. Rapoport called Allen a “respected guru” and pointed to his experience that will help the first-year head coach.

This is anything but a surprise, as it has been discussed multiple times since Chicagao hired Johnson.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Allen was the “leading candidate” for the defensive coordinator position for what could be a “star-studded coaching staff.” Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that the team was expected to make the hire.

While Allen was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 until he was fired after four games in 2014 and with the Saints from 2022 until he was fired after nine games in 2024, he also has a defensive background.

In addition to time as a defensive assistant for the Atlanta Falcons and Saints early in his career, he was also the defensive coordinator for Denver Broncos in 2011 as they advanced to the AFC Divisional Round.

Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Saints for six seasons from 2016 to 2021 before becoming the team’s head coach.

Neither of his tenures as a head coach went particularly well, as he went a combined 26-53 and never made the playoffs. However, he found far more success as the defensive coordinator in New Orleans.

The team made the playoffs four seasons in a row when he was D.C. from 2017 through 2020, including when it advanced to the NFC Championship Game during the 2018 campaign. His defenses finished in the top seven in the league in points and yards allowed in each of his final two years as D.C.

Much of the focus will be on Caleb Williams and the offense in Chicago, especially after the front office hired an offensive-minded head coach in Johnson. But the defense will also have to improve after finishing 27th in the league in yards allowed this past season if the Bears are going to compete in a strong NFC North.

Allen can help the unit do just that as soon as the 2025 campaign.