Add another name to the list of possible defensive coordinator candidates for the Bears in 2021. According to an Ian Rapoport report, the Bears interviewed former Cardinals and Giants DC James Bettcher on Monday.
Bettcher didn’t coach last season, but worked for the Giants from 2018-19 and the Cardinals from 2013-17, first as an outside linebackers coach, then as their defensive coordinator. The Giants did not enjoy much success on defense under Bettcher in 2019, ranking 28th in passing yards allowed and 29th in rushing touchdowns allowed, while ranking 30th in takeaways.
But Bettcher was much more successful in Arizona. From 2015-17 when he was the Cardinals’ DC, the defense averaged 21.6 points allowed per game (10th) and 312.6 yards allowed per game (4th). In addition they racked up 121 sacks (t-7th) and 82 takeaways (4th). This season the Bears ranked 17th in sacks and 26th in takeaways, so they could use a boost in both departments. As an extra nugget for fans who repeatedly tweeted their frustration with Chuck Pagano’s decision to blitz so rarely, no team from 2015-17 sent extra pressure more often than the Cardinals, who blitzed 41.1% percent of the time.
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The Bears defensive coordinator position opened up last week after Pagano decided to retire from coaching.
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