Another old friend has found his way to the Windy City.
As first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on Saturday morning, the Chicago Bears are set to hire Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator. Washington had spent nearly a decade in the Carolina Panthers organization, working under former head coach Ron Rivera through the 2019 campaign.
The Shreveport, La. native got his start on the NFL sidelines with the Bears back in 2008. He served as the team’s defensive line coach for two years before being hired for the same role by the Panthers beginning in 2011.
After spending seven years in that position for Carolina, Washington was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. Under his guidance, the Panthers ranked 15th in total defense in his first season and 23rd in his second.
Washington, like quite a few former Panthers did, then shuffled off to Buffalo. He took up jobs as the Bills’ defensive line coach, senior defensive assistant and assistant head coach between 2020 and 2023.
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