The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their search for a new defensive coordinator to fill the vacancy left by Alan Williams early last season.
The Bears have requested permission to interview Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and defensive line coach Eric Washington for their defensive coordinator job, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Washington got his NFL coaching start with the Bears as a defensive assistant (2008-09) and later defensive line coach (2010). He also served as a defensive line coach with the Carolina Panthers (2011-17) and then defensive coordinator with the Panthers from 2018-19. Washington’s latest stop comes with Buffalo, where he’s served as defensive line coach since 2020 while also receiving promotions to senior defensive assistant (2022) and later assistant head coach (2023).
The Bears requested permission to interview Bills assistant head coach/defensive line Eric Washington for their defensive coordinator position, source says.
He previously coached in Chicago. Buffalo's defense produced 54 sacks this year and is consistently one of the NFL's best
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 25, 2024
The Bears have been without a defensive coordinator since Williams resigned under mysterious circumstances in Week 3. Eberflus took over play-calling duties and helped get the defense on track in the second half of the season.
Now that the Bears have their offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, it’s full steam ahead in their defensive coordinator search. Chicago has already interviewed Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach — and former Bears cornerback — Chris Harris, Titans assistant head coach and defensive line coach Terrell Williams and now Washington.
