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Bears pick Eric Washington as defensive coordinator

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Eric Washington was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator in 2019.

Fourteen years after he coached the Bears’ defensive line, Eric Washington is returning as the team’s defensive coordinator.

The Bears chose Washington, who had been the Bills’ defensive line coach since 2020, on Saturday. The 54-year-old will join an intact defensive coaching staff; head coach Matt Eberflus has expressed a preference to continue to call plays.

Washington has served as a coordinator once before — from 2018-19 in Carolina. He coached the defensive line there from 2011-17.