The Chicago Bears have continued to tinker with their defensive coaching staff following the departure of coordinator Chuck Pagano and several key assistants. His replacement Sean Desai has made some interesting moves, opting for proven experience including Chris Rumph and Bill McGovern. Both of whom have extensive years coaching in both college and the NFL. Now it seems Desai has shifted to finding some extra help in the lower ranks. Former safety Mike Adams became assistant defensive backs coach. Now Matt Burke has interviewed for a possible position.
Insider Adam Caplan revealed the news. Burke was recently the defensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. His efforts helped the team rack up 49 sacks with both Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham making the Pro Bowl. Josh Sweat also had a career-high six sacks. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the defense struggled. With Jim Schwartz retiring, Burke felt it was time to move on.
Former #Eagles DL coach Matt Burke recently interviewed for a job with the #Bears on their defensive staff, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 1, 2021
What job could he be seeking in Chicago?
History says it’s likely an assistant linebackers job. That has been his area of expertise going back years. He first started coaching them in 2009 under Schwartz in Detroit. There he oversaw the development of DeAndre Levy. An eventual second-team All-Pro. Years later he ended up in Miami where he got a career-season out of Kiko Alonso. This work eventually led to him getting the defensive coordinator job in 2017.
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The Dolphins defense improved under him that year, going from 29th to 16th. It didn’t last though. Questionable roster decisions and injuries led to him being fired after two seasons. From there he ended up in Philadelphia. Burke is Ivy League-educated out of Dartmouth and also coached for a year at Harvard. So intelligence isn’t in question. He also has a connection to the Bears staff, having worked with McGovern at Boston College from 2000 to 2002.
Matt Burke is a solid brain to have on the staff
Aside from being an intelligent guy in his own right, he’s been mentored by some really good defensive coaches over the years. Gunther Cunningham, Jim Schwartz, Marvin Lewis, and Jeff Fisher are some of those names. He’s had experience with a lot of different styles, which can only serve to help Desai develop an effective scheme for the Bears defense moving forward.
Smart money says he’ll probably work under McGovern with the inside linebackers but it’s possible he could work with all linebackers given his experience with pass rushers in Philadelphia. One thing is for sure. The Bears have a plan in mind. They want to surround their young and untested coordinator with as much football knowledge as they possibly can.
Not a bad approach given the importance of this upcoming season.
The Bears need this defense to be good in 2021. They have no guarantees of landing that elusive quarterback they’ve been missing. If they fail to land one they want, then it’ll be on the defense to carry them through to another successful season. Here’s hoping Burke, presuming he’s hired, can lend a helping hand.