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A few years ago, Chicago’s defense was considered the best in football. The unit finished 2018 first in points allowed and third in yards while achieving a league-high 36 turnover.
They were so good that former coordinator Vic Fangio got a new position as head coach of the Broncos in 2019.
While Chicago made the post-season in 2020 as the NFC’s new No. 7 series, the Bears’ defense did fall under coordinator Chuck Pagano. The club finished 14th in points allowed, 11th in yards, and forced just 18 takeaways – which was in the bottom third of the league.
Pagano has since retired, with former Bears coach Sean Desai advancing the position. Desai noted during a video conference on Monday that Fangio was his biggest coaching influence, especially since he sat in the coaching staff next to Fangio during matches.
But more than that, Desai feels that Chicago’s defense is not returning far from his recent glory days.
‘I’m not a big car, so my analogies may not be great, but it’s like a tune,Desai said. ‘We’re going to refine some things and make sure our players play at their strengths on a constant basis. And they’re going to buy into the system, and that’s why and why we do certain things.
“But we have a good defense. We have really good players here. … I’m with you all when it comes to statistics – someone asked earlier, [about how] there was some regression – and we’re going to get over it. But we are going to do it in a positive way and we will do it where the players can shine through the defense. I think we will build up some depth, and we will continue with our difficult, physical mindset and we will do that during a season of 16 to 20 weeks. ”
The Bears have one of the best defensive building blocks in football with Khalil Mack on their side, and he should be a catalyst for improvement. Desai also has the benefit of knowing Chicago’s staff since joining the club in 2013.
And that’s a good thing, too, because realistically, the Bears should set their highest priority this off-season to determine their quarterback to become a more consistent attacking team in 2021.