Why would the Chicago Bears interview a former Packers defensive coordinator?
The Chicago Bears have yet to select a defensive coordinator, but sources indicate that the organization will interview former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry for a defensive staff role. Barry was the Packers’ defensive coordinator for the past three years. He was let go after the Packers failed to progress to the NFC Championship game, despite leading in the fourth quarter.
I’m sure Packers fans will moan about Barry, but the defense was middle of the pack. The Packers ranked 13th in defensive DVOA. They concluded the 2023 season rated tenth in points allowed and thirteenth in yards allowed. They excelled against the pass, ranking ninth in yards allowed and tenth in touchdowns allowed. Unfortunately, they were unable to take the ball away, finishing 31st in interceptions. The Green Bay defense struggled with the running game as well. They ranked 28th in rushing yards allowed and 17th in rushing touchdowns allowed.
Why would the Chicago Bears interview a former Packers defensive coordinator?
Joe Barry has extensive linebacker coaching expertise, having previously served as defensive coordinator for the Lions and Washington. My main concern with bringing in Barry is that he has not played a 4-3 basic defense since 2008. He coached the Bucs’ linebackers in a 4-3 base defense in 2009, and the team finished 3-13. My concern is, why would the Chicago Bears want a defensive coach who is more familiar with a base defense that the team does not use and has no obvious link to Matt Eberflus?
Joe Barry is doing his first interview with the Philadelphia Eagles. This makes more sense to me, given that the team recently signed Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator, a coach who excels in 3-4 basic defense.
My only assumption here is that the Bears are looking for any information they can get about the Packers’ organization — a franchise that continues to “own” the Chicago Bears more than the McCaskeys do. I also think it’s weird that they’d consider him before hiring a defensive coordinator. As of now, the Bears have interviewed three coaches for the DC position, but as we know, Matt Eberflus is expected to retain that defensive power following what happened to Alan Williams in 2023.
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