Bears' defensive coordinator, Alan Williams, won't be making the trip to Tampa Bay.
Bears' defensive coordinator, Alan Williams, won't be accompanying the team to Tampa Bay this weekend. In his absence, head coach Matt Eberflus will assume the responsibilities of making defensive calls during the match.
Eberflus revealed that there's no current timeline for Williams' return, stating, "Once I have more clarity on the situation, I'll ensure the information is shared."
Before taking the reins as the Bears' head coach in January 2022, Eberflus had a four-season stint as the Colts' defensive coordinator. He's well-acquainted with defensive play-calling, having experience both in the NFL and during his college coaching days. Interestingly, when Eberflus held the coordinator role in Indianapolis, Williams was the defensive backs coach.
The shift in roles shouldn't drastically alter the Bears' defensive approach. However, Eberflus handling play calls might slightly deviate him from his usual game-management duties as the head coach.
Eberflus explained, "I'll be in charge of the defensive calls. But when our defense isn't on the field, I'll rely on our sideline staff to quickly discuss and rectify any issues with the players. Then, we'll gear up for the next series." Safety Jaquan Brisker confirmed that the team was informed earlier this week about Williams' unavailability for the upcoming game.
Brisker assured, "We anticipate a seamless transition. Coach Eberflus has already briefed us about the game plan. The team feels confident and prepared. We're all set for the game."
| POLL | ||
16 SEPTEMBRE | 76 ANSWERS Bears' defensive coordinator, Alan Williams, won't be making the trip to Tampa Bay. Will the Bears win in week 2? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 42.1 % |
| No | 44 | 57.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
