The Chicago Bears have yet to make a significant splash in free agency this offseason as their biggest signing involving Larry Ogunjobi fell through due to a failed physical. Ogunjobi was supposed to be the first of many defensive players brought on that would fit new head coach Matt Eberflus’ Cover-2 defensive scheme. For the Cover 2 defense to work efficiently, the defensive secondary must feature a defensive back capable of creating interceptions, something the Bears have not had in a long time.
One of the main reasons the 2018 Bears defense was so successful under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was the high number of interceptions. In 2018, Chicago led the NFL with 27 interceptions. Each member of the Bears’ starting defensive secondary had three or more interceptions that season.
Safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Kyle Fuller were both named All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl as they combined for 13 interceptions on the season. Chicago’s defense returned five interceptions for touchdowns during the 12-win 2018 season. Since 2018, the Bears defense has failed to generate the same level of success with interceptions as they have recorded only 28 interceptions combined over the past three seasons.
6. The #Bears defense had 50 sacks in 2018 under Vic Fangio.
They have 66 sacks in almost twice as many games under Chuck Pagano.
They had 27 interceptions in 2018.
They have 20 since.
It's time to have a serious conversation about a new defensive coordinator next year.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) December 29, 2020
When the Bears ran the Cover 2 defense under head coach Lovie Smith from 2004 to 2012, Chicago was consistently one of the best teams in the NFL in creating interceptions. During Smith’s nine seasons as Bears’ head coach, his defense recorded 20 or more interceptions in six of those nine seasons. In seven of those nine seasons, at least one member of Chicago’s starting defense recorded five or more interceptions.
Since Smith’s departure following the 2012 season, Chicago has failed to consistently generate the same level of success when it comes to creating interceptions. Outside of the 2018 season, the Bears have not had one defender record more than five interceptions in a season since 2012. Additionally, no starting defensive back has been able to record back-to-back seasons of four or more interceptions.
Since Lovie Smith was hired as head coach in 2004, #Bears have returned 21 interceptions for touchdowns.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) October 2, 2012
Forcing turnovers makes the Cover 2 defense successful as it is a zone-based defense limiting deep passing plays. With successful pressure generated by the defensive line, a defense can drop either seven or six defenders back in coverage against the pass. During Smith’s time as head coach with the Bears, his defense created a lot of interceptions on tipped passes as multiple defenders were in the area of an intended receiver. Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Chris Harris, and Tim Jennings all had seasons of five interceptions or more, with several interceptions coming off of tipped passes.
During Eberflus’ previous four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, their defense has recorded 15 or more interceptions in each of those four seasons. Last season Indianapolis’ defense intercepted 19 passes as multiple defenders had four or more interceptions. Despite the Colts’ success with the takeaways, they have not had one player stand out, and no Colts defender has recorded five or interceptions over the past four seasons.
A snap shot of Matt Eberflus' #Colts defense in 2021
???? – 9th in scoring
???? – 8th in Football Outsiders DVOA
???? – 2nd most takeaways
???? – T-3rd most interceptions
???? – T-1st most fumble recoveries
???? – 3rd fewest missed tackles
???? – Highest % of opp. drives ending in a turnover— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 27, 2022
With the current situation of the Bears’ defensive roster, it is unlikely that Eberflus has a player capable of becoming a consistent intercepting threat. Chicago’s two best players in the defensive secondary are Jackson and third-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Although Johnson has proven to be a superb coverage corner, he has failed to generate takeaways, as he only has one interception during the first two years of his NFL career. Jackson, despite recording ten interceptions during his first three seasons with the Bears, has failed to record an interception the last two years.
It appears likely that Poles will address the Bears’ defensive secondary during next month’s NFL Draft as Chicago has needs at both the cornerback and safety position. Chicago’s new general manager has not addressed either position in free agency yet as former Colts’ cornerback Xavier Rhodes remains unsigned and is familiar with Eberflus’ defensive scheme.
Poles will have the flexibility to draft a cornerback with one of Chicago’s three first picks in the 2022 Draft, as they will have two second-round selections and the 71st overall pick in the third round. The Bears could use one of their two second-round picks to select Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon. Chicago could take Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant in the third round. Either defensive prospect would be likely become the Bears’ starting cornerback along with Johnson heading into the 2022 season.
#GoHuskies CB Kyler Gordon (#2) stepped this past weekend in the absence of Trent McDuffie.
Here he shows great vision when mirroring his receiver and then quickly breaks on the ball for his FIRST interception of the game. pic.twitter.com/tFeMsQ6LvK
— Nick Price (@PriceCheck3) September 29, 2021
For Eberflus’ defense to be successful, the Bears will need to begin to generate interceptions once again. They need to be led by a consistent presence in the defensive secondary that is a threat to take the ball away whenever it is in the air. If Poles and Eberflus can draft and develop a defensive back, they could see the same level of success Smith experienced when he was the Bears’ head coach.
