Dennis Allen 3 Chicago BearsKim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

After Tyrique Stevenson turned his back and taunted Commanders fans in the Daniels Miracle Victory, Chicago proceeded to lose 10 consecutive games. Don’t expect that to happen under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

Ben Johnson knew it weeks ago, when he first contacted Allen. The former Saints head coach expects his players to adopt a specific identity.

“We want to be an attacking, aggressive style of defense,” Allen said Thursday. “We want to take the fight to the offense and not let the offense dictate the tempo to us. We’re going to be aggressive. We’re going to challenge everything. We’re going to play the game the right way. We’re going to play a tough, physical brand of football, I think the brand of football you come to expect at the Chicago Bears.”

In eight seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator, Allen’s units have gone to the playoffs five times. He also owns something in short supply among those currently stewarding Halas Hall: A Super Bowl ring.

The biggest question facing Allen and the Bears, as they finalize their coaching staff and prepare for the offseason, is whether they have the personnel to fit Allen’s schemes.

Chicago reportedly will have more than $69 million in salary-cap space when the league year opens March 12. Prior to that, safety Jaquan Brisker, linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerback Kyler Gordon are extension-eligible players the Bears could retain.

Or, the Bears could invest in their pass rush. Chicago ranked only 15th in the league with 142 quarterback pressures last season, per Pro Football Reference. Unrestricted free agents could include the best edge-rushing talent on the market in Azeez Ojulari. Or, the Bears could return veteran Khalil Mack, who posted 36 sacks in four years with the Bears. Other potential targets could include Lions cornerback Carlton Davis, Titans tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tampa Bay linebacker Anthony Nelson or Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn.

Ironically, the Chicago defense played its best two games at the end of the season, including a 24-22 win in Week 18 at Green Bay. That victory dropped Chicago to the 10th-overall selection in the first round of the draft.

The good news, however, is that Chicago has three of the top 41 selections thanks to the additional second-rounder acquired from the Panthers in the trade that allowed Carolina to take Bryce Young in 2023. The Athletic draft expert Dane Brugler in his latest two-round mock draft has Chicago addressing needs on the offensive line with its top two selections, then taking Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson with the 41st choice.

But whether they choose to better protect Caleb Williams or better weaponize Allen’s defense, expect a different philosophy under the aggressive Allen.

For more information on the Bears or the NFL hiring cycle, visit the Chicago team page and the Coach/GM Carousel page at ProFootballPost.com.


Discover more from Pro Football Post

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

By Zak Gilbert

Since his freshman year at the University of Colorado, Zak Gilbert has worked 30 years in sports, including 18 NFL seasons. He's spent time with four NFL teams, serving as head of communications for both the Raiders and Browns. A veteran of nine Super Bowls, he most recently worked six seasons in the NFL's New York league office.

Leave a Reply