NEWSLETTER
Another day, another Chicago Bears offensive assistant jumping on board.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero shares the Bears are set to hire Jason Houghtaling as the team’s new assistant offensive line coach. Houghtaling was most recently with the Tennessee Titans, serving as the team’s offensive line coach in 2023 and previously as the assistant OL coach in 2021-2022.
Usually, assistant position coach profiles don’t get much of a deep dive, but I found it interesting that Houghtaling has experience as an offensive coordinator (Cornell, 2013; Wagner, 2014) and as a head coach (Wagner, 2015-19). Houghtaling’s 16-40 overall record (and 11-20 mark in Northeast Conference play) isn’t much to write home about. But still, that kind of thing looks nice on your résumé. As does having the offensive coordinator title while at an Ivy League school. To be clear, I’m not saying it is a predictor of success. Instead, I’m just saying that the optics are cool. That is all.
The new-look Chicago Bears offensive staff
There has been notable turnover throughout the Bears offensive coaching staff since the end of the year. So let’s take a moment to play catchup while we have a moment:
And for good measure, the Bears also have a new defensive coordinator in Eric Washington.
One last note on the Houghtaling hire. Hougtaling joins Luke Steckel as a former Titans staffer coaching under Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus. Maybe Steckel and Houghtaling can team up and get former Titans guard Nate Davis back into his best form. For what it’s worth, the Bears website lists Steckel as the team’s assistant OL Coach. That he is still on the team’s website as an assistant leaves open the possibility that he is switching to a new role. Steckel does have experience coaching tight ends and receivers from his time in Tennessee. Perhaps a new role on Eberflus’ staff is in his future. Stay tuned.
