Defensive Coordinator

[adam]

Jonathan Gannon was really good as a DC, never worked out as a HC. With him now available, do you consider bringing someone like him on in 2026, just keep DA, or promote from within?

[Bears4Ever_34]

I'm not going to lose any sleep if they made a change at DC, but I would lean towards keeping Allen for another season. They need to make some significant changes to their front 7. There's only so many things a DC can do without a pass rush. Their LB'ers are too slow, and their best blitzing DB has been out most of the season. They don't have enough talent to be a great defense. 

In saying that, I also don't think Allen has done himself any favors this year. They've had to rely way too much on turnovers to get off the field, which we know is not a sustainable model. The reason I lean towards keeping him, though, is because I know he's been really good before with the Saints, and I also know that if the defense returns to form soon, he's in no danger of getting a head coaching job again. That was one of the main reasons I was as hyped as I was about his hiring in the first place.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

34 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

I'm not going to lose any sleep if they made a change at DC, but I would lean towards keeping Allen for another season. They need to make some significant changes to their front 7. There's only so many things a DC can do without a pass rush. Their LB'ers are too slow, and their best blitzing DB has been out most of the season. They don't have enough talent to be a great defense. 

In saying that, I also don't think Allen has done himself any favors this year. They've had to rely way too much on turnovers to get off the field, which we know is not a sustainable model. The reason I lean towards keeping him, though, is because I know he's been really good before with the Saints, and I also know that if the defense returns to form soon, he's in no danger of getting a head coaching job again. That was one of the main reasons I was as hyped as I was about his hiring in the first place.

The secondary is also very bad.  I think it is important to know what is going on with JJ, Gordon and Stevenson.  Those 3 have the traits to be above average players, with JJ being a blue chipper.  Stevenson has not been on the field much despite fact that Wright and CJGJ have been getting torched (and don't have the foot speed to keep up with players in the roles being asked).  JJ just has no speed right now - no idea if that is because of the injury and he needs an off-season to get right (he's still very young) or if there is something else there. Gordon - well - he has a history of soft tissue, when he plays he's very good, but you clearly can't trust his availability.  

Brisker and Byard don't have a lot of speed either - so when you combine that with JJ (injured or not the same post-groin injury), Wright, CJGJ, and McCloud...that is a very slow and poor secondary. Combine that with an interior d that struggles to get consistent penetration and that makes for a really really tough job for any D.  The ends aren't much better - but Booker and Sweat are solid players and Booker appears to be ascending.  Difference makers - no (or not yet) but solid.  Interior is just not good and shows poor discipline. 

But when you add all of those together - that makes is real hard for any DC to do much more than try to figure out a bend but not break type of D. I don't think this is how DA wants to call it, but he's so limited in what he can do.  They have a lot of work to overhaul the unit, but it can be done.  I'm find sticking with DA as well - but wouldn't bat an eye if they did go a different direction, but I think the failures are not on the DC.  

[Alaskan Grizzly]

1 hour ago, adam said:

 or promote from within?

Considering no other options I’ll reiterate that promoting Al Harris as DC would be the best option IMHO.  
 

On the one hand, despite me not being a fan, I agree (if only a little) to keep Allen as he was dealt a difficult hand in available players to him.  The Bears last draft weighed heavily on the offense and almost everyone will agree this year will focus more on defense. I suspect the team will keep him for no other reason than his ‘reputation’ is what it is .  
 

On the second hand, I worry that Harris will leave for a coordinator job (possibly GB) and I fear  we’ll end up regretting that. 

[adam]

44 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Considering no other options I’ll reiterate that promoting Al Harris as DC would be the best option IMHO.  
 

On the one hand, despite me not being a fan, I agree (if only a little) to keep Allen as he was dealt a difficult hand in available players to him.  The Bears last draft weighed heavily on the offense and almost everyone will agree this year will focus more on defense. I suspect the team will keep him for no other reason than his ‘reputation’ is what it is .  
 

On the second hand, I worry that Harris will leave for a coordinator job (possibly GB) and I fear  we’ll end up regretting that. 

Regardless of injuries, giving up the 3rd most yards per play, 4th most yards and 10th most points is a fireable offense. The Bears defense allowed 1,400 more yards than the #1 defense, 1,400! That is insane. Almost 100 yards per game more. The Bears scored 90 pts off turnovers, 2nd most in the NFL. If that went down to the average, they would've lost 42 pts on the season and would be a 7-win team because of the defense.

[Mongo3451]

2 hours ago, adam said:

Regardless of injuries, giving up the 3rd most yards per play, 4th most yards and 10th most points is a fireable offense. The Bears defense allowed 1,400 more yards than the #1 defense, 1,400! That is insane. Almost 100 yards per game more. The Bears scored 90 pts off turnovers, 2nd most in the NFL. If that went down to the average, they would've lost 42 pts on the season and would be a 7-win team because of the defense.

It didn't come down to average because we caused the most turnovers.  Not defending the D, but they play a scheme that depends on turnovers.  Our front seven doesn't match the scheme yet.  

[adam]

33 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

It didn't come down to average because we caused the most turnovers.  Not defending the D, but they play a scheme that depends on turnovers.  Our front seven doesn't match the scheme yet.  

I don't know if any of the current defensive players match the scheme. The secondary, outside of the INTs has been subpar in coverage, and it was supposed to be a strength. Again I know injuries, but there are way too many wide open receivers while the DBs are playing off or in a soft zone.

[BearFan PHX]

The current players dont match ANY scheme. They are "built" for Cover 2 zone but they dont have a pass rush to make that work. They are too slow for man to man, and when we blitz 7 no one gets home.

I dont think there is a single player on our defense that we couldnt live without. Some will stay, and some will go depending on replacement options and trade interest etc, but I see a lot of turnover coming for our defense this offseason. I'm gonna say at least 5 new starters not currently on the roster by midseason. Could easily be 7 or more.

[AZ54]

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

It didn't come down to average because we caused the most turnovers.  Not defending the D, but they play a scheme that depends on turnovers.  Our front seven doesn't match the scheme yet.  

True.  Coaching finding a way to make lemonade out of lemons.  Even against Detroit so he gave up was 19pts.  That's a very winnable game    

[Stinger226]

I don't get the mentality of dumping the DC after his first year. Like people have stated, he doesn't necessarily have the players to fit his scheme, plus injuries have been huge . I think we were down 6 starters for a couple of games. Starters have come back but not playing up to there levels. A lot of TOs and red zone Def has been good. Before you get rid of DA, give him the players he wants before you judge him.

[BearFan PHX]

8 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

I'm not going to lose any sleep if they made a change at DC, but I would lean towards keeping Allen for another season. They need to make some significant changes to their front 7. There's only so many things a DC can do without a pass rush. Their LB'ers are too slow, and their best blitzing DB has been out most of the season. They don't have enough talent to be a great defense. 

In saying that, I also don't think Allen has done himself any favors this year. They've had to rely way too much on turnovers to get off the field, which we know is not a sustainable model. The reason I lean towards keeping him, though, is because I know he's been really good before with the Saints, and I also know that if the defense returns to form soon, he's in no danger of getting a head coaching job again. That was one of the main reasons I was as hyped as I was about his hiring in the first place.

Well said. I wouldnt fight to the death for DA, but if it was my call I'd keep him, for all the reasons you just listed.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Hightower just sitting in the corner with a grin...  talk bears has shifted to someone else.

I think the Bears brass know they didnt care about the D as much as putting all the resources around Caleb. If you dont develop him nothing else really matters.  

Caleb has shown he can be the franchise, so they can shift the focus on building a defense. With Sweat/Booker, I wouldn't be surprised if back to back DTs are taken early. A Safety and LB with speed have to be in the mix as well and of course a DE.

DEs: Sweat, Dayo, Booker, Turner (in mix). Since we have 2 getting paid and 2 young, I can see a later round prospect taken if a guy not there round 1.

[Stinger226]

2 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Hightower just sitting in the corner with a grin...  talk bears has shifted to someone else.

I think the Bears brass know they didnt care about the D as much as putting all the resources around Caleb. If you dont develop him nothing else really matters.  

Caleb has shown he can be the franchise, so they can shift the focus on building a defense. With Sweat/Booker, I wouldn't be surprised if back to back DTs are taken early. A Safety and LB with speed have to be in the mix as well and of course a DE.

DEs: Sweat, Dayo, Booker, Turner (in mix). Since we have 2 getting paid and 2 young, I can see a later round prospect taken if a guy not there round 1.

You could be correct. I also think a CB is in play somewhere in the draft. Maybe a DT and someone like Turner that play both DE and DT.  DA is big on speed and size. We'll see how this plays out. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

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