The Chicago Bears’ assistant coaching search has been officially underway for nearly a week, and if you’ve missed any updates or speculations, check out our tracker right here. After removing numerous offensive coaches from the staff, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have yet to appoint anyone, although the longest vacancy on the staff is on the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive coordinator Alan Williams stepped away from the Bears nearly four months ago, so Eberflus took up play-calling responsibilities. Under his coordination, the defense made marked improvements over Williams’ time calling the defense, but ‘Flus also had more talent to work with, and the returning players were going into year two of his scheme.
When Eberflus was hired, he said he wanted to be a CEO head coach and let his coordinators run each side of the ball, but now, after some success in 2023 back calling the defense, he’s not so sure about his plans next season.
He said last week about their upcoming interviews for defensive coordinator, “As we talk to these candidates, we’re going to keep everything open right now.”
After Alan Williams, the Bears’ defensive coordinator, left the position about four months ago, Eberflus assumed play-calling duties. The defense improved significantly under his guidance as compared to Williams’ time calling defense plays, but ‘Flus also had more talent at his disposal, and the guys that were returning were entering the second year of his plan.
