Matt Eberflus needed to learn from his mistakes if he was going to get his new coordinator hires right. Luke Getsy and Alan Williams had always been questionable choices. Williams was especially odd since he had such a rough showing in his first stint as defensive coordinator in Minnesota. This time around, the Chicago Bears head coach opted to change things up. He would maintain play calling duties, something he’s good at, while adding a new coordinator who could help instill the necessary discipline and effort to take things to the next level. That is how the Bears landed on Eric Washington.
The long-time defensive line coach has enjoyed a productive career since elevating to that job in Chicago back in 2008. Since then, he’s had a hand in developing some outstanding talents like Henry Melton, Kawann Short, and Ed Oliver, among several others. He’s known for being detailed, firm, and able to find common ground with all of his players. His comments about his expectations for the Bears defense moving forward were interesting. It included a not-so-subtle clue about the team’s plans for this spring.
“We’re going to be a team that generates pressure with our front four. We’re going to build the best pass rush in football that happens to be an area – fortunately an area that I’ve had tremendous success with – and we have the personnel to get that done.”
The Bears may lean in what Eric Washington does best.
Defensive line is his calling card. It would make sense to load up that area of the roster. Then again, teams who run a 4-3 alignment should be doing this anyway. The core philosophy of that system is getting pressure on the quarterback with only the four defensive linemen. If you can do that, it leaves seven other defenders in coverage to help force turnovers. Chicago took a big step in the right direction when they added Montez Sweat to their defensive front last October. He, Gervon Dexter, and DeMarcus Walker seem like a solid trio.
However, the best 4-3 defenses often have four. That is why it certainly sounds like Eric Washington believes the Bears will be aggressive in adding to that pass rush over the next two months. Free agency figures to have quite a few notable options like Danielle Hunter, Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Chris Jones, Jonathan Greenard, Bryce Huff, and Christian Wilkins. The NFL draft is also a strong possibility, with Dallas Turner and Jared Verse looking like possible options for that 9th overall pick.
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Any one of those names would instantly upgrade the Bears’ pass rush. Putting them in Washington’s hands could make things electric pretty fast.
The Lions drafted a WR in the top 10 in 4 out of 5 years with 0 playoff wins to show for it. The year after they drafted Megatron, they went 0-16. The Lions drafted Penei and made the playoffs. The Bengals drafted Ja’Marr and ate bean dip on the couch while watching the Lions in the playoffs. We need a consistent vertical threat. The Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill. Diggs, Adams, both traded, and pretty soon Jefferson will be traded. Given enough time, a good QB will find the open receiver. If this was a watered down draft, it… Read more »
@ Dr. Melhus you long winded pompous ball sweat licker. Give it a rest and just go back to letting students take turns ramming in your behind.
FAs Allen, Huff or Greenard opposite Sweat would be imposing.
As for the Draft, none of the Edge prospects are Top 10 material.
However, the top three WRs are also 3 of the top graded prospects in the whole draft!
So, IF Bears can get one of them at #9, then run that card up to the Commissioner and do a freaking celebration dance right there!!!
The Bears need more elite playmakers!
Besides the big names, A.J Epenesa and Tyquan Lewis make sense as DE3 having worked with our coaches before. The Bears are in a great position and have a lot of flexibility when it comes to FA and the draft. The two things I think they absolutely must get done is resign JJ, he was fantastic last season and it wouldn’t be wise to let him walk or piss him off by low balling him or tagging him. He was one of the best last year at a premium position, show the locker room that we take care of our… Read more »
I like Huff the best of that group because he would cost about half of what Hunter, Allen, Jones and Burns would cost.