The Chicago Bears are entering their first extended break of the 2023 season after a decisive 40-20 victory over the Washington Commanders, and it could be a golden opportunity for head coach Matt Eberflus to bring in some help for his coaching staff.
Eberflus met with the media on Friday afternoon and was asked about the possibility of bringing in someone from the outside to help on the staff, specifically the defense. Eberflus gave a non-committal answer but left the door open so that such a move could be made. “Yeah, we’re having conversations on that,” Eberflus said when asked if they were considering looking at bringing in help for the defensive staff during the break. “If it works, if it’s right for us, that’s great. If it doesn’t, then it will be what it is. But we’re still looking at it; we have an open mind. There’s nothing wrong with bringing somebody in who can help that has a different perspective.”
Eberflus was also asked if he was still planning on calling defensive plays, and while he said it was the plan, that’s also up in the air depending on what happens over the next week or so. “We’ll see where it is. Right now, my plan is to do that. We’ll see where it goes.”
The Bears have been without a defensive coordinator for their last four games after Alan Williams missed their Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and resigned a few days later. Eberflus has been calling the plays since then, but he left the door open for help from someone on the outside.
An obvious candidate to come in is Rod Marinelli, the former Bears defensive coordinator who worked with Eberflus during their days with the Dallas Cowboys. Marinelli last coached with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2020–2021.