The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job has been open for more than two weeks now, but there hasn't been much movement on a possible hiring and now we know why: The team was waiting for Notre Dame to finish its season.

Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to hire Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden to run its defense. Golden helped lead the Fighting Irish to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game where they lost to Ohio State. He is expected to officially sign with the team on Thursday.

The Cincinnati Bengals have hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden as the next defensive coordinator of the franchise, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Wednesday. Golden currently serves as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator after two years on head coach Zac Taylor’s staff from 2020-21.

The Chicago Bears are hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen as their new defensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Rapoport reports Allen was a favorite to land in Chicago as new head coach Ben Johnson’s defensive coordinator,

On Monday, the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson away from the Detroit Lions to be Matt Eberflus’ replacement as head coach. The former Lions’ offensive coordinator has no experience as a head coach, so it was expected that the 38-year-old would look at hiring former head coaches to fill out the Bears’ coaching staff.

New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has made a pair of key hires, tabbing Dennis Allen as his defensive coordinator and Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator.