Former Ohio State fan-favorite makes leap in his NFL coaching career that will leave Buckeye Nation feeling happy for him

Some make better coaches in the NFL than players and we see it happen all the time.

That is going to be the case for an Ohio State Buckeye legend who is moving up the coaching ranks.

Former Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett is going from the Detroit Lions to the Chicago Bears in his NFL coaching career. Following the Bears’ decision to hire Ben Johnson from the Lions to be their next head coach, Johnson has poached Barrett to join his staff in Chicago.

Barrett is set to be the quarterbacks coach for the Bears and will work closely with former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Williams was one of the more highly touted quarterbacks in recent memory coming into the NFL from USC.

In 2022, Barrett got his coaching start with the Lions, where he was an offensive assistant for a season. For the last two years, the former Ohio State standout has been the assistant quarterbacks coach for Detroit. The playing career in the NFL didn’t go far for Barrett, who never appeared in an actual game despite practice squad or offseason stops with the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Barrett will forever be a Buckeye legend and fan favorite for the career he put together in Columbus. The Texas native started 12 games and three for 34 touchdowns as a freshman following a season-ending injury to Braxton Miller. Barrett was eventually injured and Cardale Jones finished the run to the National Championship, but Barrett was the one that got them there.

Overall, Barrett threw 104 touchdowns to just 30 interceptions as a Buckeye in 50 games. The former Ohio State starter added 43 touchdowns on the ground and put together some big moments during his four years in Columbus.

Now, Barrett is moving up the coaching ranks and could be an offensive coordinator before we know it. The former Buckeye has a great football IQ and him being a successful young coach is no shocker.