DC Bears Sean Desai: Chicago Defense Needs Tune-Up, Not Overhaul

Chicago’s defense was considered the best in football a few years ago. The unit finished 2018 first in points allowed and third in yards allowed, while producing a league-high 36 in turnover.

They were so good that former coordinator Vic Fangio landed a new job as head coach of the Broncos in 2019.

As Chicago made the playoffs in 2020 as the NFC’s new No.7 seed, the Bears’ defense fell under coordinator Chuck Pagano. The club was 14th in points allowed, 11th in yards allowed and forced just 18 points to take – ranking in the bottom third in the league.

Pagano has since retired, with former Bears Safeties trainer Sean Desai being promoted to the position. During a video conference on Monday, Desai noted that Fangio had been his biggest coaching influence, not least because he was seated next to Fangio in the coaching booth during games.

But more than that, Desai feels the Chicago defense is not far from returning to its final glory days.

“I’m not a big car guy so my analogies might not be great, but it’s like an update,Desai said. “We’re going to refine some things and we’re going to make sure our players use their strengths consistently. And they’re going to join the system, and they’re going to explain why and how we do certain things.

“But we have a good defense. We have some very good players here. … I’m with you all in terms of statistics – someone asked earlier, [about how] there has been some regression – and we will overcome that. But we’re going to do it in a positive way and we’re going to do it where the players can shine through that defense. I think we’re going to build a bit of depth and we’ll continue with our physical and tough playing mentality and we’ll do that over a 16-20 week season.

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. Additionally, Desai has the advantage of already knowing the Chicago staff, as he has been with the club since 2013.

And that’s a good thing, too, because realistically the Bears need to place the highest priority this offseason on determining their quarterback to become a more cohesive attacking team in 2021.