NEWSLETTER
Thomas Brown isn’t the only Chicago Bears coach possibly auditioning for a future role with the team.
With Matt Eberflus now out of the picture, Eric Washington – the team’s defensive coordinator – gets the call sheet as he takes over as the play-caller on the defensive side of the ball.
I’ll let it slide if you happen to have forgotten about Eric Washington’s existence. The Bears defensive coordinator has flown under the radar this year because Eberflus had resumed defensive play-calling duties for the 2024 season. But with Eberflus no longer calling the shots on defense, it is Washington’s time to shine.
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And this isn’t to say that Washington hasn’t been busy. A long-time defensive line coach, Washington has had a hand in Gervon Dexter Sr.’s development as a second-year defensive tackle. Dexter leads the team with five sacks and 16 quarterback hits. That is a notable Year 2 leap for Dexter, who has increased his snap share from 67 percent as a rookie in 2023 to 75 percent in 2025. And with five games left to play, he still has time to build on what has already been a career year.
During his media availability this week, Bears Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington shared his philosophy (via the Bears’ official website) as he takes over as the lead defensive play caller:
“There can’t be any ambiguity on defense. And then go out and make the kind of plays and play with the assertiveness that we want to play with. And so I want to start with that. And I also want to make sure that we know who we are. The No. 1 reason that people fail is that you don’t know who you are. I want to make sure that from front to back, every single person in that room including the coaches, we know exactly what our identity consists of. And that whatever we decide to do, it’s in the best interest of the talent that we have on the football field.”
I am looking forward to seeing what this defense looks like with a new playcaller at the helm. For what it’s worth, the Bears looked better last year after Phil Snow was hired as a consultant. Maybe a different voice is all Chicago’s defense needs to get back on track.
It is Eric Washington’s time to shine
This feels like a good time to point out that this is not the first time Eric Washington is calling plays for Chicago’s defense. Washington was the defensive play-caller for the Bears during the preseason. We remember how good that unit looked during the exhibition slate, right?
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Don’t get me wrong. I know that comparing preseason football and regular-season games is kin to pitting apples against oranges. But my reason for noting Washington’s past calling this defense is less about results and has more to do with familiarity. Washington knows this playbook and these players. He knows their strengths and weaknesses, too.
Chicago’s defense has lost its swagger in recent weeks. Perhaps a fresh set of eyes who has familiarity with this group can help this unit get its groove back. If he can do that down the stretch, then perhaps he can help build his case to get a play-calling defensive coordinator job. It might not be here in Chicago. But if you are a coach who puts out some good tape, someone’s staff will scoop you up.
Obviously, we’re all rooting for the Bears offense to keep up with what it has been doing in recent weeks. But let’s not forget about the defensive side of the ball. Eric Washington has a major opportunity in front of him as this team prepares for Week 14. I hope he is up for the challenge.
