Chicago, Ill. (670 The Score/WGR 550) - Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has tabbed his new top lieutenant for his defensive coaching staff.
The Bears have hired Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator, the team officially announced on Saturday.
"He is a great communicator with elite leadership skills, and he will enhance our current defensive staff," Eberflus said. "His track record speaks for itself with coordinator experience, as well as expertise in the area of defensive line."
Washington, 54, had been the Buffalo Bills' defensive line coach since 2020, and served as the assistant head coach in Buffalo this past season. He previously served as the Panthers' defensive coordinator from 2018-19 under then-head coach Ron Rivera.
Washington was a defensive assistant with the Bears from 2008-09 on the staff of head coach Lovie Smith, then he was promoted to defensive line coach in 2010.
The Bears had been working without a defensive coordinator since September when Alan Williams abruptly resigned from the position. Eberflus had led the team's defense while calling plays. He's expected to continue in that play-calling role moving forward.
With the hiring of Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator and Kerry Joseph as quarterbacks coach this past week, the Bears will now continue the search for their next wide receivers coach and running backs coach to fill out their staff.