Studesville has a long NFL résumé dating back to 1997, including extensive work as an RB coach for the Giants, Bills, Broncos, and most recently the Dolphins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Dolphins are expected to hire Ladell Betts as their next RB coach, which could open a door for Studesville in Chicago as the Bears seek a veteran with deep running-back expertise.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune connected Studesville to the Bears on Jan. 26, highlighting his Bears roots (1997-2000) and his Miami ties, including a stint coaching under Ben Johnson. His extensive RB coaching background—spanning more than two decades—has made him a credible target as the team looks to bolster its ground game.
The Bears’ running back situation remains strong. In 2025, D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both surpassed 750 rushing yards, making Chicago one of the few teams with two 750-plus backs in the same season. Still, with cap space reported at negative $17.4 million as of late January, the team is more likely to pursue depth through the draft than via high-profile free agents.
Even with limited cap room, the running back market includes notable names like Breece Hall, Travis Etienne Jr., Kenneth Walker III, Javonte Williams, Rico Dowdle, and Kenneth Gainwell. However, given the constraint, Chicago is more plausibly targeting value picks through the draft rather than expensive free-agent additions.
Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, several top RB prospects are already on the radar: Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), Nicholas Singleton (Penn State), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest), and Kaytron Allen (Penn State). If Studesville joins the Bears, he could be shepherding one of these prospects as Chicago builds its backfield for the future.
