The 2023 season for Matt Eberflus and the Chicago Bears proved to be intriguing, setting the stage for a crucial offseason ahead. Amid speculation about whether the Bears will choose Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, another pressing question revolves around who will take on the role of calling defensive plays for the team in the upcoming season.
Last season, Alan Williams initially served as the Bears’ defensive play caller, but he departed after just two games, leading Eberflus to assume the responsibility. In the early stages of the offseason, Chicago brought in Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator, yet Eberflus appears poised to retain his position as the defensive play caller.
While Eberflus wasn’t initially slated to call defensive plays last year, the arrangement proved successful, transforming the unit into one of the league’s best. Although hiring a defensive coordinator was deemed necessary, the decision for Eberflus to continue calling plays aligns with the team’s strong defensive performance as the season progressed.
The outcome of this decision may be subject to change if 2024 unfolds differently, but the hope is that Eberflus can carry over the defensive success from 2023 into the upcoming season. The addition of Eric Washington to the defensive coaching staff adds another layer of intrigue, as Bears fans eagerly anticipate whether this combination will yield positive results for the team’s defense in the upcoming campaign.