Bears appoint Washington as defensive coordinator

The Bears have appointed Eric Washington as their defensive coordinator.

We have hired Eric Washington as our Defensive Coordinator.

Welcome back to Chicago, Coach! 🐻⬇️

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 27, 2024

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Eric (54) will replace Alan Williams, who resigned ahead of Week 2 of last campaign. Chicago manager Matt Eberflus took over defensive play-calling duties and is expected to continue to do so in the upcoming season.

The new defensive coordinator has spent 20 campaigns as a National Football League coach, including the last 4 with the Bills. Washington comes to the Bears after being Buffalo’s assistant head coach and defensive line coach during the past campaign. Bills’ defense allowed the 4^th-fewest points per match and had the 4^th-most sacks in the past campaign.

Eric is the 3^rd addition to Chicago’s coaching staff in the last few days after the Bears appointed OC Shane Waldron and QB coach Kerry Joseph.

This will be Eric’s 2^nd period with Chicago. Washington previously worked under Lovie Smith as a defensive assistant from 2008 to 2009 and managed the Bears’ defensive line in the next year.