By Blessing 
Al Harris Departs Cowboys for Chicago Bears
With the NFL coaching carousel winding down, only two head coach vacancies remain: one with the Dallas Cowboys and the other with the New Orleans Saints.
On Monday, it was revealed that Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, will take over as the Chicago Bears’ head coach. Johnson, one of the most sought-after candidates this offseason, announced his decision swiftly after the Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday night.
Shortly after, DallasCowboys.com’s Patrik Walker reported that Johnson has already begun building his staff in Chicago. One notable hire is Al Harris, the Cowboys’ assistant head coach, who will join the Bears as their passing game coordinator in 2025.
Harris has been a key figure in Dallas over the past four seasons. Serving as the Cowboys’ defensive backs coach from 2020 to 2024, he was elevated to assistant head coach in 2024 under Mike McCarthy. His work has been instrumental in the development of players like Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis, helping the defense become a cornerstone of the team’s success.
Harris’ departure is yet another blow to a Cowboys staff already facing uncertainty. Many believed Harris might be in line for the defensive coordinator role in Dallas if Brian Schottenheimer were named head coach. Now, with Harris headed to Chicago, much of the staff brought in by McCarthy—and later bolstered by Dan Quinn—appears to be moving on for the 2025 season.
The Cowboys now face significant challenges in filling the gaps left by these coaching departures as they prepare for the upcoming season.