In a surprising turn of events, Alan Williams, the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, tendered his resignation on Wednesday, citing the need to prioritize his health and family.
“I am taking a step back to take care of my health and my family,” Williams expressed in a heartfelt statement. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history.”
Williams’ decision to step down comes just two games into his second season with the Bears. He was notably absent from last week’s game against Tampa Bay due to personal reasons, following his involvement in the season opener against Green Bay.
With Williams no longer in the picture, Coach Matt Eberflus assumed the responsibility of calling the defensive plays during the absence. It is likely that Eberflus will continue to do so as the Bears gear up to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
In his statement, Williams expressed his gratitude to the McCaskey family, Coach Eberflus, General Manager Ryan Poles, and President Kevin Warren. He also left football enthusiasts with a ray of hope, stating his intention to return to coaching after addressing his health concerns.
“I value the NFL shield and all that it stands for, and after taking some time to address my health, I plan to come back and coach again,” Williams affirmed.
Earlier in the day, Coach Eberflus refrained from providing extensive details about the situation, responding with, “I don’t have any update right now,” when asked about Williams’ job status. He offered similar responses to questions about Williams’ potential return and their recent communication.
The departure of Alan Williams leaves a noticeable void in the Bears’ coaching staff and raises questions about the division of Eberflus’s attention between the struggling offense and the defense. Eberflus, however, expressed confidence in his experienced coaching staff and suggested that the absence of a defensive coordinator would not be a hindrance.
“I think with the experience that we have on defense, I don’t think that’s an issue,” Eberflus reassured.
Williams had joined the Chicago Bears in February 2022, shortly after Eberflus took over as the head coach. Their professional history extended back to their time with the Indianapolis Colts, where Williams served as the safeties coach during Eberflus’s tenure as the defensive coordinator. Williams also previously held the position of defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and 2013, amassing over three decades of coaching experience.
As the Bears adapt to this unexpected change, defensive tackle Andrew Billings encapsulated the team’s focus: “I hope he’s OK, I hope everything’s all good, but when you get to the building, it’s just focus on the job first. When you come here, everything else out of the building leaves, and you focus on what’s important, and that’s the next game.”
Image Source: Google
