Tag: Bears defense

Matt Eberflus hints at bringing in outside staff to help with Bears defense

Matt Eberflus said they’re “having conversations” about possibly bringing in outside coaches and staff to help with the Bears defense.

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.

Matt Eberflus won’t say when — or if — Bears DC Alan Williams will return

The Bears head coach declined to say whether Alan Williams was still the team’s defensive coordinator or not.

The Chicago Bears may be without defensive coordinator Alan Williams for another week, if he’s even still the team’s defensive coordinator at all. Head coach Matt Eberflus met with the media on Wednesday and was asked about the status of Williams, who has been away from the team for the last week with a personal matter. Eberflus was oddly coy with his answers.

“I do not have an update on Alan Williams right now,” Eberflus said when asked by CHGO’s Nicholas Moreano if the defensive coordinator would return this season. Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times followed up by asking if Williams was still the defensive coordinator, and Eberflus repeated his statement. The Bigs’ Herb Howard asked if Eberflus had spoken to Williams, and once again, the head coach declined to answer.

The hope is that Williams is okay with whatever issue he’s currently dealing with, but it’s curious that Eberflus won’t answer whether or not he’s even still the team’s defensive coordinator at this point. Eberflus took over defensive play-calling last week in Williams’ absence in the 27-17 loss vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will likely do that again this week if Williams remains out.

Williams has been the team’s defensive coordinator since 2022, when he followed Eberflus to Chicago from the Indianapolis Colts. Under his coaching, the defense has totaled just 21 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 16 forced fumbles. The unit struggled against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and didn’t look much better in Week 2 with Eberflus calling plays.

The Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs and their potent offense in Week 3, and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether Williams will be back for that game or not.

5 Bold predictions for Bears vs. Texans

Justin Fields will attempt more than 25 passes and the Bears find a way to score a D/ST touchdown in this week’s bold predictions.

The Chicago Bears return home to Soldier Field and will welcome back a familiar face. The Houston Texans, coached by former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, come into town to try and get their first victory of the season after tying and losing their first two games of the season. The Bears, meanwhile, are looking to get back over .500 after a dismal loss to the Green Bay Packers.

This game should be much more competitive than the last one for the Bears as they’re facing a Texans team that isn’t exactly boasting a playoff-caliber roster. They shouldn’t be viewed as a pushover by any means, but this is a prime opportunity for the Bears to find their offense and that’s exactly what we believe will happen. Here are our bold predictions ahead of Bears vs. Texans.

Our bold predictions for the Chicago Bears defense in 2021

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their bold prediction for the Bears defense heading into the 2021 season, which includes some surprises.

This is our weekly staff discussion, where Bears Wire writers share their opinions about a variety of topics involving the Bears. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

There are going to be some big changes on defense for the Bears heading into the 2021 season, starting with the loss of cornerback Kyle Fuller and new defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

While Chicago’s defense has been impressive over the last couple of seasons, they haven’t been as dominate as they were back in 2018, which has set the bar high for this group. The hope is that changes with Desai, who knows these players and exactly how to utilize them to their strengths.

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their bold prediction for the Bears defense heading into the 2021 season, which includes some bounce-back seasons by a couple of players and some surprises.

Bilal Nichols expects Bears defense to be dominant under Sean Desai

The Bears found their new defensive coordinator in Sean Desai, who Bilal Nichols believe will get this defense back to its dominant form.

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The Chicago Bears have found their new defensive coordinator in Sean Desai, who has been receiving glowing reviews since he was promoted. And for the first time, we got to hear what a current Bears player had to say about Desai becoming the new defensive coordinator.

Defensive tackle Bilal Nichols joined the Hoge and Jahns podcast, where he sounded off on Desai’s promotion. And, just as many had said before, the expectation is for Desai’s defense to be a continuation of former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

“I think he’s going to have a very similar flavor to Vic Fangio,” Nichols said. “I think you’ll see a lot of similarities with our defense this year vs our defense in 2018.”

Desai has been hailed as Fangio’s righthand man — the guy that helped Fangio build that defense from 2015 to the top unit in the league in 2018. Nichols expects more of the same from this defense in 2021.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of the same similar type of schemes (as Fangio), the same similar type of plays being run, because (Desai is) a Vic Fangio disciple,” Nichols said. “He going to bring that type of energy. So we’re excited about that. I can’t wait to see it.”

Following Chuck Pagano’s retirement, the Bears looked in-house and elsewhere for his replacement. Ultimately, they decided to promote from within and give a rising, young coach an opportunity — someone that has the football smarts.

“He’s always been a high football IQ guy,” Nichols said of Desai. “Always been a guy that prepared. And he knows his stuff. Point blank. Period. That’s why we call him ‘The Doc,’ because he’s so smart. He knows everything. I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited and I’m happy he’s finally getting his opportunity.”

Desai has been with the Bears since 2013, when Marc Trestman hired him as a quality control assistant. Since then, he’s worked his way up the ranks, most recently to safeties coach in 2019, where he served for two seasons under Pagano. Now, Desai gets the opportunity to return this Bears defense to greatness — just like he helped his mentor do.

“We’re confident in him and we know he’s the right person for the job, so he doesn’t have to be anybody but himself,” Nichols said. “That’s what got him to this point so far. I think you’re going to see a calm dude, but one thing about Coach Desai, he’s got you schemed up.”

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Report: Bears promoting Bill Shuey to outside linebackers coach

The Bears continue to fill out their defensive coaching vacancies with the promotion of Bill Shuey to outside linebackers coach.

The Chicago Bears have a number of coaching vacancies to fill, and they’ve begun filling them on the defensive side of the ball.

Following the departure of Ted Monachino to the Atlanta Falcons, the Bears have found his replacement at outside linebackers coach. According to the Chicago Tribune‘s Brad Biggs, the Bears have promoted Bill Shuey to the position after he served as an assistant linebacker and pass rush analyst this past season.

Shuey joins the newest defensive coaching additions, including defensive coordinator Sean Desai, defensive line coach Chris Rumph and Bill McGovern as inside linebackers coach.

Shuey has worked with new defensive coordinator Sean Desai and previously served with the Philadelphia Eagles for 10 years, including three as a position coach.

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POLL: What grade would you give the Bears’ 2020 season?

The Bears’ 2020 season was ultimately another disappointing year that ended in a 8-8 record and an early exit from the playoffs.

Unlike the start of the 2019 season, there weren’t a lot of expectations for the Chicago Bears in 2020. Despite some big offseason additions in edge rusher Robert Quinn, tight end Jimmy Graham and quarterback Nick Foles, it felt like this team was destined for the same mediocrity from the season before.

Which is exactly what Bears fans got.

In many ways, it felt like there were three different seasons of Bears football in 2020. Chicago’s 5-1 start was a surprise to many — but no one believed that this team was a true contender. They proved as much in the second part of their season, when they dropped six straight games, including rock bottom blowing a fourth-quarter lead to the Detroit Lions. In the third part of their season, the Bears rattled off three straight wins to keep their postseason hopes alive only to lose their final two games of the season against the Green Bay Packers (Week 17) and New Orleans Saints (wild-card round).

It’s hard to call a season a disappointment when you make the playoffs — aside from the fact that you didn’t win it all. But, in the Bears case, it was. Especially considering the way they got into the playoffs. An extra wild-card spot. Two losses by the Arizona Cardinals. In many ways, it felt like Chicago didn’t deserve it.

This Bears team underperformed in many areas. The defense once again regressed, the offense was one of the worst in the NFL for most of the season and they only managed to beat one team with a winning record.

While there were some encouraging aspects — Roquan Smith’s comeback year, David Montgomery’s coming out party, the rookie class and the offense scoring 30-plus points in four straight games — it was ultimately another disappointing season that ended in a 8-8 record and an early exit from the playoffs.

How would you grade the 2020 season?

VOTE!

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Chuck Pagano issues statement following retirement

Chicago will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 36 years coaching.

The Chicago Bears will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an official announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 18 years coaching in the NFL.

Pagano served as Chicago’s defensive coordinator from 2019-20, where he led a Bears defense that ranked among the top 10 in both years. Pagano replaced Vic Fangio, who went on to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos following the 2018 season.

In two seasons under Pagano, the Bears defense ranked fourth in the NFL in points allowed (18.6 per game) and eighth in yards (324.1) in 2019 and 13th in points (23.0) and 11th in yards (347.3) in 2020.

Pagano released a statement through ChicagoBears.com, where he thanked the Bears organization, as well the Indianapolis Colts organization, which supported him through his battle with leukemia.

“After 36 years of coaching the game I love, I have decided to retire from the National Football League,” Pagano said in a statement.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. Also, many thanks to the Irsay family and the Colts organization. I am forever grateful to that community and to the support they have always given me both on and off the field. I’d also like to thank all the coaches, players and staff throughout my career. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude.

“As much as I love coaching, it takes a lot of time away from your family and loved ones. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life and can’t wait to be able to spend more time with my family. This has been an amazing ride and I have made countless relationships that I will cherish forever.”

Bears head coach Matt Nagy also commented on Pagano’s retirement, noting that Pagano broke the news to him on Tuesday morning.

“I did not know Chuck at all prior to these last two years,” Nagy said, “and what he’s brought to us and what he’s taught us—everybody in our family here—is second to none. For him to come to me [Tuesday] morning and break the news to me and just say it’s time to call it a career and he’s going to walk away, he’s sacrificed, his family’s sacrificed so much for him and now it’s time for him to sacrifice for them. He’s at total peace with it, and so I just think again thank you coach for that and he’s going to be a great grandad and enjoy that family time.”

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Chuck Pagano issues statement following retirement

Chicago will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 36 years coaching.

The Chicago Bears will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an official announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 18 years coaching in the NFL.

Pagano served as Chicago’s defensive coordinator from 2019-20, where he led a Bears defense that ranked among the top 10 in both years. Pagano replaced Vic Fangio, who went on to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos following the 2018 season.

In two seasons under Pagano, the Bears defense ranked fourth in the NFL in points allowed (18.6 per game) and eighth in yards (324.1) in 2019 and 13th in points (23.0) and 11th in yards (347.3) in 2020.

Pagano released a statement through ChicagoBears.com, where he thanked the Bears organization, as well the Indianapolis Colts organization, which supported him through his battle with leukemia.

“After 36 years of coaching the game I love, I have decided to retire from the National Football League,” Pagano said in a statement.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. Also, many thanks to the Irsay family and the Colts organization. I am forever grateful to that community and to the support they have always given me both on and off the field. I’d also like to thank all the coaches, players and staff throughout my career. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude.

“As much as I love coaching, it takes a lot of time away from your family and loved ones. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life and can’t wait to be able to spend more time with my family. This has been an amazing ride and I have made countless relationships that I will cherish forever.”

Bears head coach Matt Nagy also commented on Pagano’s retirement, noting that Pagano broke the news to him on Tuesday morning.

“I did not know Chuck at all prior to these last two years,” Nagy said, “and what he’s brought to us and what he’s taught us—everybody in our family here—is second to none. For him to come to me [Tuesday] morning and break the news to me and just say it’s time to call it a career and he’s going to walk away, he’s sacrificed, his family’s sacrificed so much for him and now it’s time for him to sacrifice for them. He’s at total peace with it, and so I just think again thank you coach for that and he’s going to be a great grandad and enjoy that family time.”

[listicle id=466193]

 

Chuck Pagano issues statement following retirement

Chicago will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 36 years coaching.

The Chicago Bears will be on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator following an official announcement that Chuck Pagano is retiring after 18 years coaching in the NFL.

Pagano served as Chicago’s defensive coordinator from 2019-20, where he led a Bears defense that ranked among the top 10 in both years. Pagano replaced Vic Fangio, who went on to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos following the 2018 season.

In two seasons under Pagano, the Bears defense ranked fourth in the NFL in points allowed (18.6 per game) and eighth in yards (324.1) in 2019 and 13th in points (23.0) and 11th in yards (347.3) in 2020.

Pagano released a statement through ChicagoBears.com, where he thanked the Bears organization, as well the Indianapolis Colts organization, which supported him through his battle with leukemia.

“After 36 years of coaching the game I love, I have decided to retire from the National Football League,” Pagano said in a statement.

“I’d like to sincerely thank the McCaskey family, Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. Also, many thanks to the Irsay family and the Colts organization. I am forever grateful to that community and to the support they have always given me both on and off the field. I’d also like to thank all the coaches, players and staff throughout my career. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude.

“As much as I love coaching, it takes a lot of time away from your family and loved ones. I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life and can’t wait to be able to spend more time with my family. This has been an amazing ride and I have made countless relationships that I will cherish forever.”

Bears head coach Matt Nagy also commented on Pagano’s retirement, noting that Pagano broke the news to him on Tuesday morning.

“I did not know Chuck at all prior to these last two years,” Nagy said, “and what he’s brought to us and what he’s taught us—everybody in our family here—is second to none. For him to come to me [Tuesday] morning and break the news to me and just say it’s time to call it a career and he’s going to walk away, he’s sacrificed, his family’s sacrificed so much for him and now it’s time for him to sacrifice for them. He’s at total peace with it, and so I just think again thank you coach for that and he’s going to be a great grandad and enjoy that family time.”

[listicle id=466193]