INDIANAPOLIS — Most of the media conversations with Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus this week within the NFL scouting group have been about if they are going to recruit a quarterback with the No. 1 pick this spring.
But the Bears also have several new coaches, several holes to fill and the No. 9 pick in addition to the first pick.
Alongside the Poles working on extension for cornerback Jaylon Johnsonhere are four non-quarterback topics the Bears covered this week at the combine.
1. Eberflus is looking to complement Jaquan Brisker in a new starting safety.
The Bears cut seven-year starter Eddie Jackson two weeks ago for $12.6 million in salary cap savings. They also released veteran offensive lineman Cody Whitehair at the time.
“We thought it was a good time to give them the opportunity to go out and test the market to see what was in store for them,” Poles said. “I wanted to do the right thing for them and do it as soon as possible so they could put their plans in place. But I’m really grateful for their leadership and everything they’ve brought to the organization.
Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had 15 interceptions, 44 passes defended and six touchdowns in 100 starts with the Bears. He had become an important leader for the defense thanks to the strong safety Brisker developed over his first two seasons.
Now the Bears want to find a free safety who pairs well with Brisker, who Eberflus called a “big hammer.”
“The guy we’re looking for has to have athletic ability, great range, excellent communication skills and ball skills,” Eberflus said. “We want all of our guys to have the ability to get the ball. Then finally become a leader.
“If he’s a free agent, he’ll have to feel the temperature of the room and then step into the leadership role. If he’s a rookie, he’ll have to develop that with the other guys.
2. Eberflus had a “very long conversation” with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll about Shane Waldron.
When the Bears were in the process of hiring a new offensive coordinator to replace Luke Getsy, that they firedEberflus had the opportunity to speak with a knowledgeable source about candidate Shane Waldron.
Carroll, who Seahawks expelled after 14 seasons, highly recommended Waldron, who was Carroll’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons.
“He just glowed about Shane and talked at length about him and his ability to adapt and adjust and what he did with the quarterbacks in Seattle,” Eberflus said. “I felt very comfortable moving forward with Shane in this area.
“It’s really about his track record. His head coach that was with him said those words about him and talked to me at length about it, and me watching the tape and what he actually did with all those quarterbacks – to me, that’s proof .
Eberflus has repeatedly emphasized Waldron’s adaptability and creativity as reasons why the Bears are confident in their decision to hire him — no matter who the quarterback is.
The Bears also hired Thomas Brown, passing game coordinator and added the title of running game coordinator to offensive line coach Chris Morgan. Eberflus said he spoke with Waldron, Brown and Morgan individually and as a group to talk about the cohesion needed for the offense to work under all three coaches. The offense, he said, “will be a direct reflection of those three relationships.”
“I just want more continuity and more communication,” Eberflus said.
3. Pass rusher tops the Bears’ list of needs after (probably) a quarterback.
Eberflus began his assessment of the defense’s next needs by praising his players for sticking together until the end of the season, when the unit showed marked improvement after acquiring defensive end Montez Sweat from Washington Commanders.
“I really want to thank these guys for that because they really hung in there and started to really gel,” Eberflus said.
Eberflus said he thought the Bears’ defense was “on the verge of being a pretty solid group.” But besides locking down Johnson and finding a new safety, the defense has one major need: another passer.
DeMarcus Walker and Dominique Robinson are the current options at defensive end in addition to Sweat, who led the Bears with six sacks despite only playing nine games for them.
“We need to make sure we have someone opposite Sweat,” Eberflus said. “We will never have enough of these guys because they are the ones who affect the game the most.”
Eberflus said the Bears also need great receiving depth behind DJ Moore. No. 2 receiver Darnell Mooney is set to become a free agent.
“Adding dynamic pieces through free agency or potentially through the draft,” Eberflus said. “When you have a weapon on the tight end (in Cole Kmet) and you have a weapon at the X receiver like DJ, when you add a piece or two on the other side, it really balances you out. It’s certainly difficult to defend.
4. Eberflus praised the character and background of new defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
The Bears filled their defensive coordinator position in late January with Washington, who has worked in the NFL since 2008 with the Bears, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. He served as coach and defensive line coordinator.
“He has a great personality, a great way of thinking, a great character and just his track record,” Eberflus said. “He’s been part of great defenses. He’s obviously been here with the Bears and obviously what he did in Buffalo with Sean (McDermott) was pretty impressive as well. I’m certainly excited to partner with him.
Eberflus announced last week that he would retain his defensive play-calling duties. Washington said he joined the team knowing he wouldn’t call plays because he wanted to be part of a group it’s “clearly on an upward trajectory.” But he said he thinks he’ll call plays again at some point in his career.
Eberflus said it’s something the Bears will evaluate every year.
“At the end of the year, you evaluate that, and if it’s the best decision for the Bears, we’ll definitely do it,” Eberflus said. “What we’re doing right now is what we think is best for the Bears.”
