3 Key Takeaways From Eric Washington's Hiring As Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator

During this off-season, the Chicago Bears have been meticulous in rebuilding their coaching staff under head coach Matt Eberflus. The addition of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was widely regarded as an excellent choice, considered by many as the top offensive coordinator available in this coaching cycle. The Bears have now continued their strategic approach by the hiring of Eric Washington, the Buffalo Bills' assistant head coach and defensive line coach, to run their defense. This move was reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero on Saturday. That said, I want to highlight three key points about the new hire and its potential impact on the team's future.

The Bears didn't hire Joe Barry

Last week, there were reports that the former defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, Joe Barry, was being considered for the open defensive coordinator position with the Bears. Initially, I had a strong reaction to this news – not because of any personal feelings towards Joe Barry, but more so because I felt we should take a break from hiring former Packers coaches. Luke Getsy's tenure made me suspicious, as he really seemed like a double agent at times. Green Bay had parted ways with Joe Barry for a reason, so unless the Bears interview with him was solely for gathering intel, I had many concerns. However, I'm very happy to see that the Bears ultimately chose Eric Washington for the position, and I believe it's the right hire.

Eric Washington brings a lot of experience

Eric Washington is returning to the Chicago Bears after 14 years. During his previous tenure, he served as the defensive line coach, contributing to the team's success in clinching a division title and reaching the NFC championship game in 2010. With over 26 years of coaching experience, Washington is now back in Chicago for his second stint. Recognizing the importance of a strong defensive foundation, he emphasizes the significance building in the trenches. In the 2023 season, the Bills, under his coaching, ranked fourth in the NFL in sacks. With Washington at the helm, he will prove to be a valuable asset for head coach Matt Eberflus.

Matt Eberflus will continue to call plays on defense

One final key aspect of this hiring is that Matt Eberflus will retain his role in calling plays for the defense, even with the addition of Washington. This is significant for the team's future, as Eberflus's play-calling played a crucial role in the Bears defensive improvement last season. Following the week 10 victory against the Carolina Panthers, linebackers Jack Sanborn and TJ Edwards expressed how much love they have for Eberflus's aggressive play-calling. However, Eberflus's willingness to bring in another experienced voice to build on the success of last year's defense bodes well for the Bears as they move forward and look to build a top 5 unit.

Did the Chicago Bears hire Shane Waldron to fix Justin Fields?

In the most recent episode of the BFR Podcast presented by Sports Mockery, Dave and Ficky discuss the latest updates on the Bears hiring new OC Shane Waldron. You can watch the episode by clicking on the video below or listen to it on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.