On Saturday, the Bears announced the hire of Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator.
Washington, 54, has 16 years of NFL coaching experience, starting with the Bears as a defensive assistant (2008-09)
and defensive line coach (2010). He spent the previous four seasons as the Bills’ defensive line coach, as well as
senior defensive assistant (2022) and associate head coach (2023).
Between his stints with the Bears and Bills, Washington was the Panthers’ defensive line coach (2011-17) and
defensive coordinator (2018-19).
“We are excited to announce that Eric Washington will be joining our team as the defensive coordinator,” Matt
Eberflus, the team’s head coach, said. “He is an excellent communicator with exceptional leadership abilities, and he
will strengthen our present defensive staff. His track record speaks for itself, as he has been a coordinator and a
specialist in defensive line. I’d like to thank the other exceptional applicants that applied for this position.
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“My family and I are beyond excited to be returning to the Chicago Bears,” he stated. “It is humbling to have the
opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most prestigious sports organizations! I thank God, Coach Eberflus,
the Bears’ front office, and the McCaskey family for entrusting me with this duty.”
In Buffalo, Washington coached some of the league’s greatest defenses. In 2021, the Bills lead the league in points
allowed per game (17.0) for the first time in franchise history, as well as total yards per game (272.8) and passing
yards (163.0). Buffalo’s defense recorded 19 sacks, which helped the team win its final four games. In 2022, the Bills
were second in the NFL in points allowed (17.8).
In 2023, Buffalo was fourth in points allowed (18.3) and sacks (54), sixth in gross passing yards (216.2), tied for sixth
in touchdowns allowed (34), eighth in total yards (326.8), and tenth in tackles for loss (86).
Washington helped Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly earn first-team All-Pro accolades in 2018 and second-team All-Pro status in 2019. In 2019, Washington’s Panthers defense had the second-highest sack total in the NFL.
