Bears promote QB coach John DeFilippo to passing game coordinator

The Bears still don’t know who will actually be throwing passes for them next season, but whoever it is will be under DeFilippo’s watch.

By Jason Lieser

The Bears promoted quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo to be their passing game coordinator as well Monday, replacing Dave Ragone.

The position didn’t exist before last season, when coach Matt Nagy moved Ragone from quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator to make room for DeFilippo to join the staff a quarterbacks coach. Ragone left last month to be the Falcons’ offensive coordinator under new coach Arthur Smith.

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It was unclear exactly what Ragone’s role was last season, so adding that title to DeFilippo isn’t necessarily significant. Nonetheless, the move likely complete’s Nagy’s staff for 2021.

Bill Lazor will continue as offensive coordinator, though it’s unclear whether he’ll remain the play caller after Nagy gave him that job last season. The Bears also have offensive line coach Juan Castillo, wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, tight ends coach Clancy Barone returning, and Nagy hired Michael Pitre from Oregon State to coach running backs.

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