Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday the plan is for him to call defensive plays for the rest of the season.
Eberflus has been coordinating the unit since Alan Williams left for what the team called personal reasons midway through Week 2. A week after that, Williams resigned, citing his health and family. Sources confirmed that his departure was related to his conduct.
In two games with Eberflus as coordinator, the Bears have allowed 68 points, the third-most in the NFL. The Broncos, whom the Bears play Sunday, have given up a league-high 105 points in that span. The Commanders have allowed 70.
“Where we sit right now, this is the best thing for us,” Eberflus said. “The reason is because I was the defensive coordinator where I came from, and it’s a natural fit for us to do that right now.”
Eberflus was the Colts’ defensive coordinator from 2018 to ’21. The Bears are rooted in the scheme he created there.
Calling plays is an extra responsibility when Eberflus needs to search for answers on both sides of the ball. On game day, he has less time to analyze what worked on each drive because he has head-coaching duties.
This week, he has spent extra time with the struggling offense, working with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach Chris Morgan. The defensive staff has picked up extra work to allow him that time.
Eberflus said he could add some coaching help on the defensive side of the ball, perhaps during the Bears’ 10-day gap between games after playing on “Thursday Night Football” next week.
