Ex-NFL star Gerald McCoy explains why Bears hit home run with DC Eric Washington originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAS VEGAS — Gerald McCoy only spent one season around Eric Washington during his time with the Carolina Panthers, but the Bears’ new defensive coordinator left a lasting impression on the six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
“Listen, what are you going to get is a teacher?” McCoy, now an analyst for NFL Network, told NBC Sports Chicago at Radio Row for Super Bowl 58. “A lot of people — you’d be surprised how many people in the NFL don’t know how to play football the right way. They just don’t. They don’t know how to break down film. They don’t know how to watch film. They don’t know how to prepare for games. They are just talented. They’re just better and better athletes. It’s just: I can remember the play. OK, go do this.
“He’s going to teach you the game. Like, OK, why am I looking at this? Why am I looking at that? Why are we running this? I was always taught this. If you know how to do something, you make a lot of money. If you know why you’re doing it, you sign the checks for anybody.”
The Bears hired Washington as their defensive coordinator in January, filling the role that was vacated by the in-season resignation of Alan Williams.
While head coach Matt Eberflus will retain the defensive play-calling duties, Washington will play a critical role in the weekly game planning and be a key cog in the development of young Bears defensive linemen Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens.
During his time with the Panthers, McCoy saw how Washington’s ability to teach and break down information into easily digestible nuggets helped spur the growth of Panthers star defensive end Brian Burns.
“They’re getting a teacher,” McCoy said. “They’re getting a guy who every day you might question who’s really giving the most effort, him or the players, and it’s going to be him most of the time. He doesn’t take days off. You never going to have to worry about is…
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