Tag: Eric Washington

What Bears DC Eric Washington wants to see from Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens by training camp

New Bears DC Eric Washington has high expectations for second-year defensive tackles, Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens.

The Chicago Bears have high expectations to live up to in 2024. While a lot of that will fall on the offense, featuring some new talent, the defense will also play a crucial role.

After getting off to a rough start during the 2023 season, they ended the year on a high note as one of the NFL’s top units (following the addition of Pro Bowler Montez Sweat).

The key to the defense’s success will be the continued growth of their young talent, including second-year defensive linemen Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. New defensive coordinator Eric Washington recently explained what he wants to see from the pair by training camp.

“I want to see polished fundamentals,” Washington said. “I want to see things that I know will allow them to be as disruptive and as efficient with their rush fundamentals as possible. We’re talking footwork, alignment adjustments based on the down and distance, and when we’re in an obvious passing situation. It’s more awareness and just a great coordination of fundamentals that I know that are going to give them a chance to really win that particular rep and down.”

This is good news for Chicago’s defense. They are looking to improve, and many young players will be counted on. If Washington gets his wish from Dexter and Pickens, the unit might be even better than we thought.

With the way that general manager Ryan Poles and his staff are building this team, it is clear that they expect a lot. That’s important when trying to produce a winning football team. If everyone does their job, they will get it done. Dexter and Pickens are talented players, but now it’s about taking it to the next level.

With the right work ethic, they will do it because the leaders are asking that of them. Nobody is content with “good enough,” and that is the way it should be.

Bears DC Eric Washington believes LBs and DBs among the best in NFL

Bears DC Eric Washington believes the team’s back seven is “as good a group as there is in the NFL.”

There are high expectations surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into the 2024 season, and rightfully so.

While there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this offense, especially with the addition of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the defense has been flying under the radar.

Chicago’s defense was among the worst in the NFL in the first half of the 2023 season, but they made huge strides and were a top-10 unit in the final leg of the season. The addition of Montez Sweat at the trade deadline was a huge reason why.

Now, the Bears are returning their young core — including re-signing All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a long-term deal — and expectations are high for this defense.

New defensive coordinator Eric Washington believes the pass rusher is better this year compared to the previous year. Although, it still needs some work. But Washington had high praise for Chicago’s linebackers and defensive backs, which he believes are among the best in the NFL.

“Our back seven, I think they’re as good a group as there is in the NFL,” Washington said. “I’m biased, but having a chance to be on the football field and watch them and watch the details, there’s a lot to be excited about.”

The Bears overhauled their linebacker group last offseason with the additions of T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, and they were a big part of the defense’s success in 2023. Now, they’re back, along with Jack Sanborn, and looking to continue their dominance.

Chicago’s secondary is a young, ascending unit that made huge strides last season after struggling out of the gate. Johnson is the veteran anchor in that group, but there’s plenty of young defensive backs in place with Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith. They also added All-Pro veteran safety Kevin Byard in free agency.

With the improvements made — and the continued development of young talent — the ceiling is high for this Bears defense in 2024.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus will continue to call defensive plays

Matt Eberflus will once again be calling plays for the Bears defense in 2024.

The Chicago Bears have a new defensive coordinator in Eric Washington, who was officially introduced during a press conference, but some things will remain the same on defense.

Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Thursday that he will continue to call defensive plays during the 2024 season. Eberflus assumed playcalling duties in Week 3 of last season after Alan Williams gave his resignation.

The defense made huge strides in the second half of the season with the addition of Montez Sweat and Eberflus at the helm, where they were a top-10 unit to close out the year.

Washington mentioned he’s called plays in the past and would like to do it again, but that’s not expected to happen in 2024. Washington did share praise for Eberflus as a playcaller.

“He’s situational. He knows his priorities,” Washington said. “He knows his players and the values. How to put players in the best position possible.”

Washington, who got his start with the Bears as a defensive assistant in 2008, brings 16 years of NFL coaching experience to the table and is ready to work with a talented group looking to ascend into a top-10 unit.

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Bills DL coach Eric Washington hired as Bears defensive coordinator

#Bills’ DL coach Eric Washington hired as #Bears defensive coordinator:

The Chicago Bears have a new defensive coordinator, meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are down a defensive line coach.

Chicago has hired Eric Washington as their new DC earlier this week according to Bears Wire. Previously Washington had been in Buffalo as the Bills’ defensive line coach for the past four seasons.

Washington had been an internal candidate to become Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator but he opted to head to the Bears.

Last year, Sean McDermott had dual duties as head coach and defensive coordinator. Leslie Frazier was the last person to hold the post but he stepped away from the Bills last offseason.

It’s unclear if Buffalo did approach Washington about becoming the DC or not. There’s a chance they did, but it’s unclear if McDermott will continue to call defensive plays as head coach next season.

The Bills have went on to promote Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator after Washington was hired in Chicago. However, we still have no word on whether McDermott or Babich will be the play caller.

Bills Wire will provide that update when information is made available.

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Bears hiring former Panthers DC Eric Washington

Former Panthers DC Eric Washington is being hired to lead the Bears defense.

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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Bears hire Eric Washington as defensive coordinator

Eric Washington got his NFL coaching start with the Bears many years ago, and now he’s back in Chicago as their new defensive coordinator.

The Chicago Bears have found their new defensive coordinator.

Chicago has hired former Buffalo Bills defensive line coach and assistant head coach Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Washington actually got his NFL coaching start with the Bears as a defensive assistant (2008-09) and later defensive line coach (2010). He also served as a defensive line coach with the Carolina Panthers (2011-17) and then defensive coordinator with the Panthers from 2018-19. Washington’s latest stop comes with Buffalo, where he’s served as defensive line coach since 2020 while also receiving promotions to senior defensive assistant (2022) and later assistant head coach (2023).

The Bears had been without a defensive coordinator since Alan Williams resigned under mysterious circumstances in Week 3 of last season. Head coach Matt Eberflus took over play-calling duties and helped get the defense on track in the second half of the season. Eberflus said he’ll be once again be calling plays in 2024.

Given Washington served as an assistant head coach in Buffalo, you have to wonder if he could serve a similar role in Chicago.

During their search for defensive coordinator, the Bears also interviewed Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris, Titans assistant head coach and defensive line coach Terrell Williams for the vacancy.

Eagles defensive coordinator tracker: Vic Fangio now the favorite after Dolphins departure

We’re tracking and identifying the current candidates who have interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles vacant defensive coordinator position and a new favorite to land the job

In a move speculated on for weeks, Ian Rapoport reported that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni had fired defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

The Eagles finished the season with six losses in their last seven games, with those losses by an average of 15 points, and their only win since Week 12 came against the Giants after they nearly blew a 17-point lead.

Desai was stripped of playcalling duties before Week 15, and the move comes after Philadelphia finished their second-half collapse with a 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Monday night.

With the move now official, we’re tracking coordinator candidates ahead of the Senior Bowl and the new league year.

Eagles coordinator candidate Ryan Nielsen set to join Jaguars as DC

Jaguars are set to hire former Falcons’ defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator

Philadelphia is looking for a new defensive play-caller after head coach Nick Sirianni fired Sean Desai before he met with owner Jeffrey Lurie.

Senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia had his contract expire, and he’ll explore other league opportunities.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles had already reached out to interview former Falcons and Saints assistant coach Ryan Nielsen for the vacant defensive coordinator job.

That won’t happen, as Adam Schefter reports Nielsen is taking his talents to Jacksonville to join Doug Pederson’s staff as the Jaguars defensive coordinator.

Nielsen’s defensive schemes focus on his unit stopping the run out of a light box, and his aggressive approach upfront would have meshed with what Philadelphia has previously done.

The Falcon’s defense jumped to 24th this season in defense-adjusted value over average, which measures the efficiency with the opponent’s strength factored in after being 31st in 2022.

Atlanta’s pass rush went from 32nd in pressure rate in 2022 to 11th under Nielsen in 2023.

Most importantly, the Falcon’s defense under Nielsen ranked 17th in blitz percentage last season compared to the Eagle’s 24th-ranked unit.

Philadelphia will now turn towards landing an interview with Wink Martindale, while the team is also interviewing former Commander’s head coach, Ron Rivera.

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Eagles have reached out to Wink Martindale about vacant defensive coordinator job

The Philadelphia Eagles have reached to Wink Martindale about interest in their vacant defensive coordinator position after firing Sean Desai

Philadelphia is looking for a new defensive play-caller after head coach Nick Sirianni fired Sean Desai before he met with owner Jeffrey Lurie.

Senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia had his contract expire, and he’ll explore other league opportunities.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles have already reached out to interview former Giants and Ravens assistant coach Wink Martindale for the vacant defensive coordinator job.

The 60-year-old is a free agent and Martindale has been an NFL assistant since 2004, spending the majority of his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Philadelphia lacks agression on defense and Martindale would be a departure to the passive approaches of Jonathan Gannon and Sean Desai.

Martindale would be the closest thing to the late-great Jim Johnson in regards to philospy and pressure approach.

Martindale called blitzes on 46% of the Giants’ defensive plays last season — double the percentage the Eagles sent extra rushers in the regular season.

His blitz package is unpredictable, and Philadelphia has proof that it’s effective, with Jalen Hurts having faced the Giants multiple times a year over his first four years in the league.

Eagles have reached out to Ryan Nielsen about vacant defensive coordinator job

The Philadelphia Eagles have reached to Ryan Nielsen about interest in their vacant defensive coordinator position after firing Sean Desai

Philadelphia is looking for a new defensive play-caller after head coach Nick Sirianni fired Sean Desai before he met with owner Jeffrey Lurie.

Senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia had his contract expire, and he’ll explore other league opportunities.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles have already reached out to interview former Falcons and Saints assistant coach Ryan Nielsen for the vacant defensive coordinator job.

Nielsen’s defensive schemes focus on his unit stopping the run out of a light box, and his aggressive approach upfront will gel with what Philadelphia has previously done.

The Falcon’s defense jumped to 24th this season in defense-adjusted value over average, which measures the efficiency with the opponent’s strength factored in after being 31st in 2022.

Atlanta’s pass rush went from 32nd in pressure rate in 2022 to 11th under Nielsen in 2023.

Most importantly, the Falcon’s defense under Nielsen ranked 17th in blitz percentage last season compared to the Eagle’s 24th-ranked unit.

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