Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington has a big job on his hands after head coach Matt Eberflus was fired Friday. But it also could be a big opportunity.
The defense that was Eberflus’ baby still ranks ninth in the NFL in points allowed after 12 games but has been teetering during the six-game losing streak that greased the skids for Eberflus’ firing.
Thursday’s 23-20 loss to the Lions was typical of the recent struggles. The Bears’ defense allowed 405 yards, including 194 rushing yards. But it also played a key role in the comeback from a 16-0 deficit. In the second half, the Bears allowed 126 total yards and 50 rushing yards.
Even while allowing 279 yards in the first half, the defense prevented the game from getting out of hand. It forced the Lions’ offense to settle for a field goal on three drives and made a big stop on another drive when cornerback Tyrique Stevenson forced running back Jahmyr Gibbs to fumble at the Bears’ 6-yard line, with defensive tackle Gervon Dexter recovering. The Bears could have been down 28-0 or 35-0 at halftime.
But overall, the defense has been disappointing after a fast start. Over the last six games, it has allowed 397 yards per game (31st in that span) and 23.2 points per game after ranking fourth in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed through the first six games.
Washington presumably will take on the full coordinator’s role with Eberflus’ departure. It figures to be a challenge, with the Bears 4-8 and unlikely to make a playoff run. All five of their remaining opponents rank in the upper half of the NFL in scoring — the 49ers (13th), Vikings (ninth), Lions (first), Sea-hawks (15th) and Packers (eighth).
But if the defense falters in the final five games, it won’t be because of Eberflus’ exit. While he clearly built this defense, taking it from 32nd and last in the NFL in scoring in 2022 to ninth this season, players weren’t emotionally tethered to him like they were with former Bears coach Lovie Smith and former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Washington, in fact, has an opportunity to revive the defense, which, like every part of the team, was affected by the tumult over Eberflus’ job status. The Bears still have a young defense and are relatively healthy for this time of the season, with a couple of exceptions. Safety Jaquan Brisker has missed the last seven games with a concussion and is on injured reserve. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Washington has been emphatic that the defensive lapses during this losing streak are because of players trying to do too much rather than not doing enough. During the skid, the Bears have allowed pass plays of 61, 60 and 69 yards (plus a 52-yard Hail Mary by the Commanders). On Thursday, the Lions’ longest pass play was 30 yards.
“The situations that we’ve been in have not been due to lack of attention to detail, focus or effort — all those things are still present,” Washington said last week. “We’ve got to make sure some of the detail things are there and that we don’t overcompensate for trying to make plays, and then all of a sudden we’ve put ourselves off balance.
“Sometimes that happens. Guys are so overzealous at trying to be the person who makes the play [that] they end up unintentionally compromising the overall structure. And there’s a trickle-down effect. We need 11 guys doing what they’re supposed to be doing. And when we get that done and we’ve had that, we won’t have any issues with explosive plays.”
It’s unlikely that Washington will — or can — make significant changes to the defense in Week 14. But he might not have to. Sometimes just change makes a difference.