The Chicago Bears didn’t make their move for a quarterback on Wednesday, but they did conclude another piece of business. It was rumored they were hoping to add a veteran coach to their defensive staff. Somebody with extensive experience who could be a sounding board for new defensive coordinator Sean Desai. They accomplished this task with the hiring of Mike Pettine, the recently dismissed defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.
The 54-year old has been around the NFL since 2002. He’s made his way through several organizations as a defensive assistant until he became a coordinator for the first time in 2009. There he helped the New York Jets reach back-to-back AFC championships. He held the same job for a year in Buffalo before becoming head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2014. He only lasted two seasons there before moving on. He finally resurfaced in Green Bay in 2018.
There he turned a unit that ranked 22nd the year prior to 9th by the end of 2020.
The Packers reached back-to-back AFC championships with his help. Sadly for him, they grew frustrated with his work and decided to move on. Their loss could end being the Bears’ gain. Pettine’s past success is well-documented. He is familiar with Vic Fangio, whose scheme Desai is planning to implement for the first time since 2018.
There is no question Pettine can help. So here’s an interesting question. Who stands to benefit the most from his arrival from the perspective of the players? When looking at his background, there are two names who should benefit almost immediately.
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Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson.
Mike Pettine has proven quite adept at developing DBs
His history is loaded with so many examples of safeties and cornerbacks having their career-best seasons under his direction. Darrelle Revis had a career-high six interceptions in 2009. Dwight Lowery did the same with three. Tashaun Gipson (yes him) had six interceptions under his watch in 2013. The 2014 Buffalo Bills were quite a story as not one, not two, but three of their safeties each had four interceptions. Last but not least, Darnell Savage turned in his best year with the Packers in 2020 with four interceptions.
That is a pretty consistent track record. One thing the Bears need to get figured out this coming season is their secondary. There is no questioning the talent. Yet the ball production hasn’t been there the past two years. Jackson is especially concerning. After six interceptions in 2018, he has just two since. Rookie Jaylon Johnson was very good in coverage last year but failed to record an interception.
If the Bears are going to win in 2021, they need turnovers from those guys.
Somebody like Pettine is exactly what the doctor orders. His expertise can only help. Nevermind the shift to the Fangio scheme that made Jackson a star in the first place. All in all, this was a smart hire by the Bears. If his advice isn’t ignored, there is a good chance the secondary should play a lot better this coming season. Especially if the pass rush can deliver.