The Chicago Bears spent most of the 2023 season without a defensive coordinator. Here are potential candidates for the job.
The one big move the Chicago Bears made this offseason was to fire offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. With a question at quarterback, the need for the right offensive coordinator is critical. The new guy has to be able to work with whoever is the quarterback and call a modern offense.
While the coordinator is on the offensive side of the ball, another vacancy needs to be filled — the defensive coordinator position.
The Bears were without a defensive coordinator since before their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Alan Williams resigned over inappropriate behavior. The team decided not to fill the position. Head coach Matt Eberflus took over the defense.
The defense did improve under Eberflus. It improved in all aspects of the game. Having to run the defense and be the head coach is a lot of work, however. We saw how Eberflus was not involved much in the offense. He is the head coach and needs to oversee the entire team.
The Bears did hire a defensive analyst, Phil Snow. He was a consultant. The defense needs a full-time coordinator, though. Even if Eberflus continues to call the defensive plays, the unit needs someone to do the day-in/day-out duties.
Here are some possible candidates to fill the defensive coordinator position.
Al Harris, Dallas Cowboys secondary coach
The fans might be wary of hiring another person connected with the Green Bay Packers after the Getsy debacle. Harris was the Packers’ cornerback in his playing days. However, he is receiving attention as a riser in the coaching community.
Harris developed the Cowboys’ secondary into one of the best units in the NFL. He also contributed to building one of the best defensive units in the league. He is ready to take the next step as a coordinator. With Eberflus calling plays, Harris could be a great fit. He’d do wonders to help the rising stars in the Chicago Bears secondary as well.
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Dennard Wilson, Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach
The Chicago Bears could have a reunion with Dennard Wilson. He worked as a scout for three years in Chicago. He has had success with the Philadelphia Eagles and with the Baltimore Ravens and could now take a step up and help the Bears.
Dave Borgonzi, Chicago Bears linebackers coach
The Bears could decide to go with keeping continuity. They could hire within. Dave Borgonzi has done a great job with the linebackers. He knows both the players and Eberflus.
Borgonzi worked with the Indianapolis Colts when Eberflus was the defensive coordinator. He then followed Eberflus to Chicago. He could now take over and have his mentor help him.
Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
Ejiro Evero does not have ties with Eberflus but does have them with his trusted confidant — Frank Reich. He was Reich’s defensive coordinator. He was a safeties coach and defensive passing coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay.
Evero then went to the Denver Broncos with Nathaniel Hackett and was the defensive coordinator there. He held the same position with the Panthers under Reich. With the coaching change in Carolina, he could move on. If Eberflus gets good information from Reich then he could come to Chicago.
Phil Snow, Chicago Bears senior defensive analyst
The Chicago Bears could decide to keep things the same and give Snow the full-time job. Why fix something that was not broken, right?
As the season progressed, the defense kept improving. In the final 13 weeks of the season, the defense gave up just 18.6 points per game. In the five games after their bye week, they were even better, averaging just 16.6 points per game.
The Bears finished ranked number one against the rush and in interceptions, and fifth in turnovers caused. While it went largely unnoticed, the Chicago Bears’ defense was one of the tops in the league as the season progressed.
Chicago could want to build on that success and continue to do what worked.