The Chicago Bears announced another major change in the coaching staff, with running backs coach David Walker being fired.
Head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed the decision on Wednesday morning. This is the second time the Bears have fired an assistant coach this season, adding another layer of shadow to the team’s already challenging year.
According to multiple media reports, including ESPN and The Athletic, Walker was fired because of his workplace behavior. The report pointed out that Walker failed to uphold the team’s principles both on and off the field.
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Eberflus addressed the media regarding the decision, saying, “With the support of general manager Ryan Poles, president Kevin Warren and the ownership group, we have made the decision to … terminate his position.”
He elaborated on the rationale for his termination and emphasized the fundamentals of the team’s program. “We were building a program and setting standards to be followed on and off the field, and those standards were not met,” Eberflus said Wednesday.
Walker, 53, is in his second season with the Bears and was originally hired by coach Eberflus for the 2022 season. His tenure was relatively short before this abrupt departure.
ESPN reported that Walker had previously been reprimanded by the Bears’ human resources department. This week’s action was described as “the second such incident” that directly led to his termination.
Eberflus chose not to delve into the specific actions that led to the decision. “I’m not going to get into any specifics other than he’s no longer on the coaching staff,” he told reporters.
The head coach expressed disappointment but stood firm on the team’s stance on standards. “From my perspective, it’s disappointing,” Eberflus reiterated the team’s stance.
He made it clear that accountability is paramount within the program. “We have standards to live up to. When that standard is not met, we take action. We take action accordingly, and that’s what we did today,” Eberflus explained.
Assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach Omar Young has been named to take over Walker’s duties as running backs coach.
Eberflus again stressed the non-negotiable nature of team expectations. “The standards have to be met,” he said, stressing the principle that guides coaching staff changes.
“If the standards aren’t met, you have to make a decision, and that’s what we did,” he added, stressing the connection between failure to meet standards and coaching staff changes.
Walker’s departure comes on the heels of former defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ abrupt resignation in September. Williams’ resignation also occurred midseason, making Walker the second assistant coach to leave the team this year under challenging circumstances.
Williams resigned after missing the team’s Week 2 game. At the time, he cited the need to “take care of my health and my family” as the reason for his resignation.
However, ESPN also reported that Williams’ departure was related to his perceived “inappropriate” behavior. According to ESPN, similar to Walker’s situation, the human resources department was also involved in his departure.
Unfortunately, Williams’ resignation was related to false reports circulating on social media. Rumors claimed that the FBI raided the Bears’ facilities and that this was related to his departure.
The team quickly denied the allegations. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said that the initial reports of a raid on Halas Hall were “completely false” and said he was unsure how the claim came about.
Williams’ attorney also publicly denied any raids on his client’s residence, attempting to clear the air amid speculation.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter further reported that Williams’ resignation was not related to “criminal activity,” though the Bears’ human resources department did evaluate Williams for “inappropriate” behavior.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic provided more context on the activities at the facility before and after Williams’ departure. Multiple people reportedly spotted a forensic vehicle parked outside the facility.
Citing multiple league sources, Russini explained that this is standard practice when a team employee resigns or is fired. The purpose is to download data from employees’ work devices, such as computers and phones, out of an abundance of caution.
According to sources, this procedure provides the Bears with a layer of protection from possible future lawsuits involving former employees. So while there was a vehicle present at the time, it was just part of standard procedure and did not represent a criminal raid.
Coach Eberflus reportedly discussed the rumors directly with the players. “I said, hey, all of that rumors and nonsense right now, that crazy stuff, it’s not true,” he told them.
He clarified the situation with the team. “Alan is resigning,” I said, “We’re going to continue to take on all the defensive responsibilities, and I’ll be in charge of the play-calling on game day. Any questions?” Eberflus recalled, detailing how he communicated with the players.
Eberflus is a defensive-focused head coach who has been personally in charge of the defensive play-calling since Williams resigned in September.
With two coaches leaving midseason, questions have been raised about the culture within the Bears. On Wednesday, Eberflus was asked if staffing issues reflected a poor team culture.
He downplayed the notion and defended the environment within the team. “We have a great culture on this team,” Eberflus insisted to reporters.
He emphasized the positive aspects of the team’s dynamic. “Guys work hard every day. We have a great relationship with each other. We care about each other,” he added.
Despite the team’s tough 2-6 season, Eberflus insisted the culture remains strong. “We’re trying to turn it around,” he said, acknowledging the need for improvement on the field.
He concluded his comments on the team’s culture with a positive reinforcement. “Our culture is awesome,” Eberflus stated, expressing confidence in the environment he believes has been built.
Walker’s professional background includes 26 years of coaching experience, according to information provided by the team. He had a significant coaching career before joining the Bears.
His collegiate coaching experience included stints as a running backs coach at his alma mater, Syracuse, and at Pittsburgh. He then moved to the NFL.
As the team prepares to visit the Saints on Sunday in Week 9, the focus remains on improving performance on the field while also upholding the standards emphasized by the head coach and the organization. The season continues to unfold with unexpected developments off the field impacting the team.
