Matt Nagy didn’t take long to find a new offensive line coach. The Bears are expected to name Juan Castillo, who most recently served as the Bills’ offensive line coach in 2018, as their next position coach, sources confirmed. NFL Network first reported the move.
Castillo coached alongside Bears head coach Matt Nagy — and under Nagy’s mentor, Andy Reid — with the Eagles. He began as the Eagles’ offensive assistant in 1995, moved to tight ends coach in 1997 and then coached the team’s offensive line from 1998-2010. In a rare move, he became the team’s defensive coordinator from 2011-12.
Castillo then moved to Baltimore, where he was the Ravens’ run-game coordinator for two years and offensive line coach from 2014-17.
Nagy coached with the Eagles in various capacities from 2008-12 and followed Reid to the Chiefs. He considers Reid a mentor and best friend in coaching.
Nagy fired Harry Hiestand after two years as his offensive line coach Tuesday. The Bears, who celebrated hiring Hiestand away from Notre Dame upon Nagy’s hiring, are trying to upgrade a run game that has been one of the league’s most disappointing the last two years. The Bears averaged 3.7 rushing yards per attempt in 2019, the fourth-lowest average in the league. Only five teams averaged fewer than their 4.1 yards per carry in 2018.
Hiestand was one of four coaches fired Tuesday. Two others — offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride — also had a hand in the team’s run blocking.
