The Bears will have to go through a full and fair interview process for the job, but Allen is the frontrunner as Johnson begins building his staff.

The Colts hired Lou Anarumo, while Dennis Allen, who interviewed with Indianapolis, may be heading to the Bears.

Former Saints head coach Dennis Allen has emerged as a leading candidate to become the Bears’ next defensive coordinator on new head coach Ben Johnson’s staff.

The Bears are hiring Ben Johnson as head coach and he already has a top candidate in mind for defensive coordinator.

The leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator in Chicago is former Saints head coach Dennis Allen, per Schefter. The Bears, though, first will have to comply with the Rooney Rule before they officially can hire Allen.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Allen could be joining the staff of new Bears head coach Ben Johnson in the Windy City. Ben Johnson has been busy assembling a star-studded coaching staff. The leading candidate to become his defensive coordinator in Chicago is former Saints HC Dennis Allen, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/iJCbMLJSLe

Dennis Allen told the story of Mickey Loomis firing him, the aftermath and how the New Orleans Saints general manager didn’t support it:

Allen is expected to be in the mix for several coordinator jobs, but the Colts are the first team known to express interest.

The New Orleans Saints fired Dennis Allen as their head coach during the 2024 season after a 2-7 start, but it doesn't appear that he would have been gone if it was up to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.

Dennis Allen drew from his experience since being fired by the Saints two months ago to share advice for recently-fired head coaches:

Allen is an excellent defensive coordinator who simply isn't cut out to be a head coach. He has been fired as a head coach twice now and won't get a third opportunity. He will be a coordinator for the rest of his career. He simply isn't a leader of men.

Despite looking under multiple stones for a new defensive coordinator, the Atlanta Falcons would be remiss not to consider old adversary Dennis Allen.