Bears request to interview Israel Woolfork for offensive coordinator

The Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their 19th head coach in franchise history, and he's been hard at work building his coaching staff.

According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, the Bears have requested to interview Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork for their offensive coordinator job.

Woolfork coached nine years at Miami (OH) (2013-21) before getting his NFL start with the Cleveland Browns with the Bill Walsh NFL diversity coaching fellowship (2021) and Bill Willis coaching fellowship (2022). Woolfork has served as the Cardinals quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons.

During his introductory press conference, Johnson explained exactly what he's looking for in his offensive coordinator.

“It's going to be critical for me to find somebody that can organize and structure and set the table particularly early in the week. I've been around a number of guys that have called plays in the past, and I've seen the potential pitfalls that could arise as you're coaching the entire football team and you can't get to watching as much tape early in the week as you possibly could. The offensive coordinator position is going to have to be somebody that not only I trust, but will be extremely detail oriented, organized and structured to set the table. Also willing to work late nights."

So far, the Bears have requested to or have interviewed the following: Denver Broncos tight ends coach Declan Doyle and Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree and Denver Broncos senior personnel executive and former Stanford Head coach David Shaw.

Here's a look at Johnson's coaching staff so far (unofficial): Quarterbacks coach: J.T. Barrett; wide receivers coach: Antwaan Randle El; defensive passing game coordinator: Al Harris.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears request to interview Israel Woolfork for offensive coordinator