Now the Super Bowl is a distant dream for both the Lions and the Bears, but that doesn’t mean they’ll leave yet. Yes, the season was a little too harsh on the Bears with a 5-12 record. The Lions made it to the divisional round but got bested by the Commanders with a 45-31 score line. So is this where the story ends? No, because they are in the same boat now. How? Well, the Bears have been hunting for their next head coach, and guess what? The Offensive Coordinator of the Lions has gotten the crown. Yes, it’s Ben Johnson. Although, the search for the right man to fill the shoes of DC is still ongoing for the Bears.

As the Bears continue to assemble their own Avengers to save the franchise, their hands might be getting a little slimy for the other strong candidates. One of them is Darren Rizzi. The interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints has a busy schedule these days, packed with interviews. However, recent reports suggest that he may not be heading to Chicago. After a tweet by a reporter from 9News, the speculation has gained traction. “Bears and Darren Rizzi not expected to happen” the tweet read, sparking discussions across the NFL community.

There is a tug of war going on for Darren Rizzi among the big names in the game. You know what? He is worthy of it. With over 31 long years in coaching, starting from New Haven to the Saints, he has surely come a long way. He served as the Saints’ special teams coordinator from 2019 to 2024, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance. Last year, when he took on the role of Interim HC, Rizzi led the team to a 3-5 record. Taking a look back at his career, Darren achieved a 15-14 record over three seasons from ‘99 to ‘01 with New Haven.

The Bears, who’ve been actively trying to fast-fill their coaching staff, have shown interest in Rizzi. Teams like the Jets and the Saints themselves have recently completed interviews with him. Darren is in a position right now where he needs to take his next step with extra caution. If Ben Johnson is not going to have him on the team, there’s a high chance the Bears will move forward with an equally strong candidate.

Who else can Ben Johnson trust now?

Imagine a team that’s been battling through tough seasons, paired with a head coach fresh off a playoff exit. Now, throw into the mix a defensive mastermind who just faced the sting of being fired—Dennis Allen. All three are looking for redemption, and their paths converging could be the perfect storm for a major comeback.

For the Chicago Bears, this trio represents a golden opportunity to reset, rebuild, and reignite their journey toward success. If chosen, Dennis will be bringing menace to the D-line. As we have seen how his brain works when he was with the Saints. From 2015 to 2021, he literally flipped the switch, and turned a struggling unit into a top 10 defense.

From 2017 to 2023, his defense never went down below than 14th in the league in points allowed. His ability to push players and build a strong unit could be exactly what the Bears need to get back on the road. But things are still fuzzy on the defense front for the Chicago team. Where is Ben Johnson planning to take the team? It will soon become clear.