Bears DC Williams resigns to focus on his health

Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterSep 20, 2023, 04:17 PM ET
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LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Alan Williams has resigned as the Chicago Bears‘ defensive coordinator, the team announced Wednesday.

“I am taking a step back to take care of my health and family. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history,” Williams said in a statement.

“I value the NFL shield and all that it stands for and after taking some time to address my health, I plan to come back and coach again,” he added.

Williams, 53, has been away from the Bears since last week with what the team classified as a personal reason. Details around Williams’ absence had been vague, including a one-sentence statement from the team Wednesday confirming his resignation.

Both the Bears and Williams’ lawyer said a report in Chicago of police activity at the team facility was inaccurate.

“He has tremendous respect for the Bears organization and he just thought it was the time to handle this health issue and his personal matters,” Andrew M. Stroth, a sports attorney based in Chicago who is Williams’ personal attorney, told ESPN.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus took over defensive playcalling duties Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and said earlier Wednesday that he would continue to call the defense this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs if there was no resolution with Williams.

Asked whether not having a defensive coordinator could become problematic for the 0-2 Bears, Eberflus said he did not think that would be an issue due to the experience of his defensive staff.

“We have [safeties coach] Andre Curtis, [cornerbacks coach/passing game coordinator] Jon Hoke, all those guys that have great experience,” Eberflus said. “Guys that have been in our system. [Linebackers coach Dave] Borgonzi, [assistant defensive backs coach David] Overstreet, all those guys are working diligently, so we’re prepared and ready to go.”

The Bears hired Williams in February 2022, shortly after Eberflus got the head-coaching job. Williams spent four seasons as the Indianapolis Colts‘ safeties coach while Eberflus was the team’s defensive coordinator. It was his second stint with Indianapolis after coaching defensive backs there for 10 seasons from 2002 to 2011.

Williams was the Minnesota Vikings‘ defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013. He has more than three decades of coaching experience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.