John DeFilippo, the Chicago Bears quarterbacks coach, adds pass game coordinator to his title
The Chicago Bears announced Monday they have promoted quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, adding the duties of pass game coordinator after Dave Ragone left to become the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator.
DeFilippo enters his second season under Bears coach Matt Nagy. He has 16 years of NFL coaching experience, including as offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and the Cleveland Browns in 2015.
He was the Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach in 2016 and 2017, the latter when Carson Wentz threw 33 touchdown passes and had a 101.9 passer rating. After Wentz tore a knee ligament late that season, DeFilippo helped guide Nick Foles during the Eagles’ run to the Super Bowl championship.
Foles, of course, didn’t have a lot of success working with DeFilippo this past season in Chicago. He threw for 1,852 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions while posting an 80.8 passer rating in seven starts behind a troubled offensive line. But the Bears did get a few good starts out of quarterback Mitch Trubisky late in the season.
DeFilippo’s connection with Wentz is of note as the Eagles listen to trade offers for the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft. After Wentz turned in a dismal season in 2020, the Eagles could deal him in the coming days, according to ESPN, with the Bears and Indianapolis Colts rumored to be in the mix.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace said he will weigh all of his options in deciding how to proceed at quarterback with Trubisky set to become a free agent. Pace and Nagy said last month DeFilippo’s input will be included, along with that of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, as they decide which direction to go.
