Report: Bears to hire Eric Washington as defensive coordinator

Field Level Media|published: Sat 27th January, 11:15 2024

Oct 8, 2023; London United Kingdom, Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington reacts in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. credits: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears are hiring Eric Washington to be their defensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Washington, 54, will assume the position previously that was overseen by head coach Matt Eberflus, who handled the coordinator responsibilities after Alan Williams resigned for personal reasons in September. Eberflus was the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-21 before becoming the head coach of the Bears.

Washington has spent the past four seasons serving as the defensive line coach of the Bills. He also was an assistant head coach for Buffalo in 2023.

It's a return to Chicago for Washington, who previously spent three seasons (2008-10) with the Bears. He was a defensive assistant the first two seasons before becoming defensive line coach. He then spent his first seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2011-17) as their defensive line coach before shifting to defensive coordinator for the next two campaigns (2018-19).

The Bears allowed an NFL-best 86.4 rushing yards per game this season. However, they also permitted 237.8 passing yards per game (ranked 25th in the league) and 22.3 points per game (ranked 20th).

—Field Level Media