Former Bears starting defensive back could be a dark horse ......

Former Bears starting defensive back could be a dark horse to be the next DC…….

In January 2023, ESPN source Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Bears asked for authorization to interview Harris for a defensive staff position that isn’t publicly announced. After that failed, Harris joined the Titans in Tennessee, where he spent the 2023 season as the cornerbacks coach and coordinator for the defence pass game.

The Bears are in the search for a new defensive coordinator right now, and Matt Eberflus’ preferences for his next DC may make Harris a name to keep an eye on.

Harris joined the Bears in 2005 as a sixth-round selection out of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Harris started 20 games for Chicago. After the Bears fell short against the Colts in Super Bowl 41, he made a famous interception off quarterback Peyton Manning. However, the next season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.

In 2010, Harris made his way back to Chicago as a player after three years with the Panthers. He started all 16 games and was selected as a second-team All-Pro. He left the game at the end of the 2012 campaign.

In actuality, Harris, 41, started his coaching career with the Bears. He was hired by former head coach John Fox to serve as the team’s defensive quality control coach from 2013 to 2014, however Fox did not keep him on.

In addition, he was the defensive backs coach for the Washington Football Team/Commanders from 2020 to 2022 and the assistant defensive backs coach for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers from 2016 to 2019.

Former DC Bears player Two weeks into the season, Alan Williams quit, and Eberflus assumed playcalling responsibilities. Under Eberflus’s direction, Chicago’s defence led the league in interceptions (22) and, as of week five, had the lowest explosive play percentage in the NFL.

Eberflus says he’s probably going to keep calling plays for the defence, but he’s not ruling out the possibility of having a new DC take over.

During the team’s year-end news conference, Eberflus stated, “We’re still looking at that.” “I believe I’ve mentioned how much I enjoy doing it. We’ll leave things open for the time being as we speak with these people, but we really welcome that for next year. As we move through this process, we’ll see.

Coach Flus also briefly discussed the qualities he hopes to find in his future DC.

Basically simply trying to improve the personnel. It must be a good fit, according to Ebeflus. “On both sides, you want an all-star crew. dynamic individuals that can transfer what they learn in the classroom to the drill area and back again. That role will be connecting those dots, and naturally collaborating with me to achieve so.

“We need to find the right person who can work in other areas of the building, in front of the room when I’m not there, with the offence, or getting ready for something else. They should also have excellent character and motivation.”

Harris fulfils many of the requirements that Eberflus has for his next defensive coordinator, so keep a watch on him even though more seasoned DCs like Leslie Frazier and internal prospects like Jon Hoke are the more likely contenders.

Based in the Midwest, Beth Mishler-Elmore covers heavy sports, specialising in the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Heat. She also writes about the Bears for the CBS Sports station Bear Report. Further details about Elmore and Mishler.