Alan Williams resigns as Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, citing health reasons

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams has resigned, he announced Wednesday afternoon. He missed last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for what was described as “personal reasons” by the team.

Williams’ job status became in doubt on Wednesday following head coach Matt Eberflus’ weekly press conference. He would neither confirm nor deny Williams would return at any point this year when asked by reporters. Later, a report from Sports Talk Chicago’s Jon Zaghloul said there was police activity at Halas Hall and Bears legend-turned-FBI agent Peanut Tillman was involved, but a Bears spokesperson told reporters that was not the case.

“BREAKING: According to sources familiar with the situation, both Halas Hall and Alan Williams’s home have been raided in connection with an undisclosed incident,” Zaghloul wrote. “Alan Williams’s home was raided Sunday night, after the team’s Week 1 loss. Halas Hall was raided THIS MORNING.”

In his statement, Williams said his decision was because of health reasons.

“It is with great regret that I tender my resignation as the Defensive Coordinator of the Chicago Bears Football Club effective immediately,” Williams wrote. “I am taking a step back to take care of my health and my family. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history. The McCaskey family is first-class and second to none.

“I would also like to thank Coach Matt Eberflus and General Manager Ryan Poles for giving me the opportunity to come to Chicago. I would also like to thank President Kevin Warren, the coaches and players of which I value the relationships and camaraderie. 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.”

Williams missed the Bears’ loss to the Buccaneers last week due to what Eberflus called a “personal” issue at the time. He remained out of the building as of Wednesday afternoon when Eberflus met with reporters, and he repeatedly said he didn’t have “any update” on Williams’ status.

He was asked whether Williams would return this season, if he was still the defensive coordinator and if he had spoken with him at all. The answer remained the same for all three answers.

“I don’t have any update,” Eberflus said.

More on Alan Williams, the Bears’ struggles on defense this year

Williams was in his second season as the Bears’ defensive coordinator, coming along with Eberflus from the Indianapolis Colts. He worked alongside Eberflus in Indianapolis as the defensive backs coach from 2018-21 after three years with the Detroit Lions. The position with the Bears is Williams’ first defensive coordinator post since two seasons in the role with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and 2013.

The Bears’ defense struggled mightily through the first two games of the season, especially on third down. The rival Green Bay Packers converted nine of 16 attempts in the opener Sept. 10 and totaled 329 yards of offense as they defeated the Bears 38-20. Then, last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers converted eight out of 15 third-down attempts in addition to their 437 total yards of offense in a 27-17 victory over the Bears.

Chicago now finds itself in an 0-2 hole to start the year entering this week’s matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. That game will kick off Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.