Chicago Bears: New-Look Defense May Bring Back The Monsters

With a new system, the Chicago Bears bring back a tougher, more attacking defense, one we are used to seeing.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is now playing under his third defensive coordinator in his three seasons in the NFL. Despite that, he feels excited. After two mediocre defenses, he feels this new one will be much better.

The Bears have a new head coach in Matt Eberflus. Eberflus was previously the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator. His defenses were tough and were known for creating turnovers. He’ll work with new Bears’ defensive coordinator Alan Williams on bringing that tough Colts defense to Chicago.

So far, Johnson has some impressions of the new system and he likes it.

[H]ard nose, flying around to the ball. Definitely a different culture that he’s (Eberflus) definitely implemented, really trying to drill into our heads really of how we want to play this style of football. Really attacking, really playing hard, recognize the ball, trying to call turnovers and that’s what the Colts had did really good over these last couple years that the defense really turned that ball over. So I definitely think you can get that vibe that we’re definitely going to be attacking.

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The Bears need to create more turnovers to change their fortunes. In 2020, they ranked 25th in overall turnovers and 23rd in interceptions. In 2021, they ranked 26th and 29th, respectively.

Creating turnovers makes it easier for the offense. A turnover most times gives the offense a shorter field to work. Additionally, turnovers deep in your territory prevent a likely score from happening.

Johnson is not the only player to like the new system

Johnson isn’t the only player who looks forward to playing under the new Eberflus/Williams defense. Safety Eddie Jackson also spoke about how the new system should make it easier for him.

Jackson says the simpler defense allows him to just look at the quarterback and make a play on the ball. He also likes that the players play up-tempo and are constantly running.

You just see what’s in front of you and play…The coaches are challenging us to do certain things we’ve never done before. Just like flying around. We run to everything. That’s the biggest emphasis is finish, hustle, effort and that’s just what we are doing right now. Everyone’s flying around, making plays, breaking on the ball. When you do that certain things start to happen.

We’ll see a more familiar defense

We’ll see some changes to the defense that will look familiar to Chicago Bears fans. The defense will move from a base 3-4 to a 4-3. That means more pressure up front. The four up front also help out against the run, something that the Bears struggled with last season (ranking 23rd). However, the defense will show different formations to keep opposing offenses on their toes.

Having Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow as two of the three linebackers helps the Bears’ speed. Those two are fast and athletic so they will make a ton of plays.

With the front seven doing its job, it helps the secondary. The secondary got smoked too many times last season. The Bears tried to fix that by drafting Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker. Both of them are athletic and violent. They’ll harass receivers and make plays on the ball.

With Johnson and Jackson (and Thomas Graham/Tavon Young at slot corner), the secondary could go from being a liability to being an asset.

While the defense might not be a finished project yet, it will be a force from Day 1. We’ll see more development from the defensive side than from the offensive side, another thing familiar to Chicago Bears fans. We’ll see some fun action from the defense in 2022. Then, in 2023, when the Bears have a ton of cap space and more draft picks, we’ll see a special defense assembled.

The return of the swarming Bears defense is reminiscent of how we historically remember the Chicago Bears defense. When they swarm to the ball and play tough, good things happen. This is what the Monsters of the Midway term is all about.