I did not have new Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen making a case for one of the NFL Draft’s top offensive prospects on my 2025 bingo card.
New Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson did a one-on-one with CHGO’s Bears podcast. During his time with Adam Hoge, Johnson dropped an anecdote in which he shared what comes off as a pretty solid endorsement for Penn State tight end prospect Tyler Warren. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of kind words to be said about the versatile Nittany Lions play-maker —especially now that we know that the Bears reportedly plan on having a private workout with him. However, I did *NOT* expect them to come from the Bears’ defensive coordinator.
Here is the transcription via Bears Wire’s Alyssa Barbieri:
“Tyler got up there and to me, what I’ll always remember, is Dennis Allen speaking up about how much of a headache it would be to go against a player like that. Not only is he a tenacious football player, but he blocks, he runs hard. but the fact that you can put him in the backfield and do some wild cat with him, we felt like that was kind of unique.”
Again, I was not expecting to hear about Dennis Allen to make a pitch for Tyler Warren — but I am not mad about it. Warren is one of the most interesting prospects who could be on the board when Chicago goes on the clock with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Depending on how the board shakes out, taking the Penn State standout would be an optimal use of the team’s first-round pick. It might not be my first option, but it certainly wouldn’t be the worst idea.
You can watch the full episode with Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson here:
Dennis Allen is lending a helping hand in unexpected ways
One of the things I liked most about the Bears’ hiring Dennis Allen as their new defensive coordinator is that he could provide Ben Johnson some perspective as a former head coach. I figured Allen’s previous experience as the top dawg with the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints would help ease the transition for Johnson, a first-year head coach. But it did not cross my mind that Allen’s time as a head coach could be useful in providing some extra depth and perspective when it came to the NFL Draft. This is like getting sprinkles and M&Ms as toppings on your Sunday. What a pleasant treat.
WHAT ARE THE BEARS GETTING IN NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DENNIS ALLEN
There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to the 2025 Chicago Bears. This team has a remodeled offensive line with three new starters along the interior. It also has a pair of newbies on the defensive line that Dennis Allen is excited to get his hands on and work with this season.
I imagine that Dennis Allen is pumped to work with a veteran defensive tackle like Grady Jarrett, especially after going up against him for many years when Allen was coaching the New Orleans Saints and Jarrett was lining up for the Atlanta Falcons. As for Dayo Odeyingbo, I am fascinated by the possibility of Chicago’s new defensive play-caller unlocking a flexible defensive lineman’s potential. Perhaps he could even get guys like cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds back on track.
MORE: Dennis Allen Shares His Plans For the Chicago Bears Defense
But before we get into Dennis Allen getting his hands on Bears defensive players, I am curious to know what he thinks about other NFL Draft-eligible prospects on the offensive side of the ball. What does he think about Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty? Does he believe that LSU’s Will Campbell can play left tackle in the pros? Is Missouri’s Armand Membou his top-rated offensive line prospect? Are there any receivers worth kicking the tires on? How about the *OTHER* tight end prospects in this class? There are plenty of questions that Allen could help answer as the Bears head down the stretch in their pre-draft preparations.
written by
Luis C. Medina
Luis C. Medina is a Senior Writer at Bleacher Nation. Since launching BN's Bears wing in 2017, he has written about 5 head coaches, 6 play-callers, and 10 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019. You can find him on Twitter here.
