Matt Eberflus knew what he wanted when he began his search for a new defensive coordinator. He needed somebody who understood the designs of the Tampa-2 defense his scheme is steeped in. However, after what happened with Alan Williams, he also needed somebody who would make sure to hold players to the high standards of effort and attention to detail required as well. After meeting with four candidates over the space of a week, the Chicago Bears landed on Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington as their guy.
It made sense. Washington worked for three years in Chicago under Lovie Smith. Then he spent several years under Rod Marinelli and Sean McDermott, two other coaches with experience in the Tampa-2 style. He understands the system and how to coach it. That background should give him an immediate head start on the 2024 season. However, there is likely another reason the Bears wanted him. Washington has a reputation for being…thorough. That is to say he’s a detail-oriented coach and a demanding one too. Corey Wootton admitted to Adam Jahns of The Athletic that he isn’t afraid to push guys to their limits, mentally and physically.
Think Marine drill sergeant, and you’ll have the right idea.
“People say, ‘Well, nowadays they don’t yell at people,’” Wootton said. “I disagree. I think especially with the younger players, you have to get after them. That’s the way that you take their game to the next level.”
“He was very similar to what he was in college,” Wootton said. “What I appreciated was that he was going to get the best out of you and he’s going to push you when you think you can’t go anymore. And I think that’s what everybody needs deep down, especially younger guys.”
During Wootton’s rookie season, the extra work came before and after practices. Washington would tell you directly what you needed to work on.
“He didn’t say it so nicely sometimes,” Wootton said. “But it’s really about letting somebody know how to get better and how to push their buttons. He was really great at that.”
Eric Washington isn’t afraid to coach guys hard.
The key is he understands not every player will respond to the same coaching style. That is something many guys never understand. The iconic line about Vince Lombardi was he treated all his players the same: like dogs. Years later, one of them stated that wasn’t true. He treated some of them like dogs because he knew that was the best way to get the most out of their ability. For other players, he’d take a more nuanced approach. It appears Washington is much the same way. He’d be hard on younger guys but would act differently with veterans. He’d offer solutions to their problems without telling them they were wrong.
Bears players best prepare themselves. Eric Washington is a far cry from Williams. He’s unlikely to let even the little things slide. Every minor mistake they make will be critiqued. If guys can’t handle it, they may not see playing time. Younger guys like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens are likely to catch the brunt of his wrath. If they are up to the challenge, they could become really good football players. What makes it even better is he won’t limit this approach to the defensive line anymore. It will be the entire defense.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
