Bears interviewing Titans’ Terrell Williams for defensive coordinator

The Chicago Bears have already found their new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, and the focus now shifts to filling their defensive coordinator vacancy.

The Bears are interviewing Tennessee Titans assistant head coach and defensive line coach Terrell Williams for the defensive coordinator vacancy, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He’ll serve as the head coach of the American team in the Senior Bowl next week.

Williams has served as a defensive line coach for three different teams. He got his NFL coaching start with the Oakland Raiders (2012-14) before joining the Miami Dolphins (2015-17) and Tennessee Titans (2018). While he’s served singularly as a defensive line coach, he got a promotion last year to assistant head coach, on top of his duties as defensive line coach.

It’s worth noting Williams hasn’t served as a defensive coordinator or called plays during his career, but it’s not too worrisome given Eberflus will resume play-calling duties next season.

#Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams will interview with the #Bears for their defensive coordinator job, source says. Williams will be the head coach of the American team in the @seniorbowl next week, so his work is getting noticed across the league.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 22, 2024

The Bears have been without a defensive coordinator since Alan Williams resigned under suspicious circumstances in Week 3. Eberflus took over play-calling duties and helped right the ship on defense, particularly during the back half of the 2023 season.

Now that the Bears have their offensive coordinator in Waldron, it’s full steam ahead in their defensive coordinator search. Chicago has already interviewed Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach — and former Bears cornerback — Chris Harris. Williams is the second known name at time of publication.