Fourteen years after he coached the Bears’ defensive line, Eric Washington is returning as the team’s defensive coordinator.
The Bears chose Washington, 54, who had been the Bills’ defensive line coach since 2020 and had the added title of assistant head coach this year, on Saturday. He’ll join an intact defensive coaching staff. Coach Matt Eberflus has expressed a preference to continue to call the defensive plays in 2024.
Washington nonetheless will be an important defensive leader for the Bears, who had been without a coordinator since the organization and Alan Williams parted ways in Week 3. Sources confirmed the departure was related to his conduct.
Eberflus took over play-calling duties for the rest of the season, eventually hiring Phil Snow to serve as a defensive analyst and handle advanced scouting. The Bears’ defense thrived under Eberflus’ play-calling, allowing the fifth-fewest points in the league in the second half of the season.
In a statement, Eberflus called Washington a “great communicator with elite leadership skills” and praised his work as a coordinator and a defensive line coach. Washington was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019 after coaching their defensive line from 2011 to 2017.
He broke into the NFL as a defensive assistant with Lovie Smith’s Bears from 2008 to 2009 before being put in charge of the defensive line in 2010. The Bears gave up the fourth-fewest points and ninth-fewest yards in 2010, losing in the NFC title game to the Packers. He then joined Ron Rivera, another former Bears assistant, when Rivera was named the Panthers’ head coach.
Like Washington, Eberflus plugs into the Smith coaching tree. Many of the concepts that contributed to Eberflus’ H.I.T.S. system were fostered by Rod Marinelli, with whom he worked in Dallas and considers a mentor. Washington replaced Marinelli as the Bears’ defensive line coach when the latter was promoted to coordinator.
At stops in Chicago, Carolina and Buffalo, Washington coached the 4-3, cover-2-heavy scheme that Eberflus prefers.
Washington said in a statement that he was “beyond excited” to return to Chicago. His experience in the area goes beyond the Bears, too. He was Northwestern’s defensive line coach from 2004 to 2007.
The Bears figure to rely on his defensive line expertise. He helped develop Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver, a 2019 first-round pick, who had his best season in 2023 with 9½ sacks.
Bears defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens are coming off solid rookie seasons. Be it via the draft or free agency, the Bears figure to add an edge rusher — or two — to complement standout Montez Sweat, who led the team in sacks despite being acquired Oct. 31.
Eberflus said this month that he was looking for a coordinator who could run meetings and motivate players.
“It’s important that we find the right person that has great character, a great motivator who can be in front of the room when I’m not in there — when I’m with the offense or preparing for something else, working in other levels of the building,” he said.
The Bears chose Washington after being linked to the Titans’ Terrell Williams and Chris Harris and former Packers coordinator Joe Barry.
Washington will join new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who replaced Luke Getsy, and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph, who was hired Friday. Getsy interviewed with the Raiders last week and is expected to meet with the Patriots for their vacant coordinator job.
