Eric Washington addressed the Chicago Bears in a remarkable statement as…

Eric Washington is appointed defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.

(AP) — LAKE FOREST, Ill. As the Bears’ defensive coordinator—the team he started his NFL coaching career with—Eric Washington is making a comeback to Chicago.

Washington played for the Buffalo Bills for the prior four seasons. Prior to this season, he was promoted to defensive line coach and assistant head coach.
The move was announced in a news release on Saturday. “He is a great communicator with elite leadership skills and he will enhance our current defensive staff,” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “His track record speaks for itself; he has both coordinator experience and defensive line expertise.”

In 2008, Washington began his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Bears. 2010 saw the native of Shreveport, Louisiana, advance to the position of defensive line coach.

After defensive coordinator Alan Williams left in September citing personal reasons, Chicago had been without a defensive coordinator. After Williams left Chicago two games into his second season, Eberflus called the defensive plays; it’s unclear what the staff arrangement is with Washington.

In Eberflus’ second season, the Bears finished 7-10, led by a strengthened defense. In 2022, they concluded with a league-worst record of 3-14.

Washington is starting his second season in the NFL as a defensive coordinator. He played tight end in college at Grambling State. With 53 sacks in 2019, the Panthers were second in the league in sack total. He also had same role in Carolina from 2018 to 2019.

After hiring Shane Waldron on Tuesday, Chicago will also have a new offensive coordinator for the upcoming campaign. Luke Getsy took over for Waldron after the latter was fired after two years.