With head coach Ben Johnson handling the play calling of the Chicago Bears offense, he had to make sure he got the right man for the defense. Johnson hired Dennis Allen, and the rest is history.
Allen took over a defense that ranked 27th in total defense and 28th in rushing. The Bears gave him some new pieces to work with as they added Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo to the defensive line.
It was a tough start to Allen's era as defensive coordinator, as before the season, he had to deal with several injuries to the defense and the secondary, including Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, T.