Age is a bigger factor in football than any other major American sport. Due to the physical nature of the game, older players tend to get phased out much faster than in basketball, baseball, or even hockey. This is why when guys reach the barrier of 30-years old, fans and media start getting nervous. They know the odds of somebody having a steep regression is drawing closer. For the Chicago Bears, this air of unease is beginning to permeate around the defense. New coordinator Sean Desai can sense it like everybody else.
Several of their core members are now in their 30s. Danny Trevathan is 31. Robert Quinn is 31. Akiem Hicks is 31 and Khalil Mack is 30. The Bears will be leaning on those four guys a lot in 2021 in order for this defense to function at its peak. Is that possible? Desai made one thing clear at this latest press conference. He’s well aware those guys are on the older side. That doesn’t mean his demands from them will suddenly slacken.
If they want a spot on his defense? They better produce.
That says it all. The expectations remain the same for the defense as a whole. Desai doesn’t care if you’re 24 or 34. If you play well and produce? You’ll keep playing. If you don’t? Expect to find a place on the bench. There is no politics involved with his personnel decisions. The players who do what is asked of them will be on the field.
For Desai, his approach to this job is about perspective. He made it clear that his main duty isn’t to come in and criticize these players. Any coach who thinks their first duty is to criticize has the wrong perspective. His job is to teach. Show these players how and why they do things and then continue helping them to do it.
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This is likely why Sean Desai is already a favorite of the players
No matter who reports have asked in the past weeks, every single one of them has spoken glowingly of the new defensive coordinator. They love his fire, his competitiveness, and his attention to detail. There is a sense of a mad scientist about him. Somebody with all sorts of schemes cooking inside his brain. Perhaps what stands out the most is his clear agenda. There is nothing general about what the man wants. Players see it every day on the sideline.
The turnover bucket. While Sean Desai demands effort, speed, and discipline, it is clear his overriding goal is producing takeaways. Every single player on the field should have it in their minds to go for the football at all times. Defensive linemen and linebackers should target forced fumbled. Defensive backs need to go for interceptions. When they accomplish this, the ball goes in the turnover bucket.
It is a ritual that has caught on fast in the locker room.
Another sign that Desai knows exactly what he is doing. Age is always going to be a factor in how the Bears approach their roster. However, it isn’t going to change their level of demand. Yeah, you might be on the older side but the team is still paying you a ton of money. Either you go out there and earn it or expect them to find somebody who will. That is the game.
