While his non-endorsement of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler got the initial attention, the other changes John Fox is bringing to Chicago could impact a player who’s had a much better career.
In a bit of an upset, Fox hired Vic Fangio to run a 3-4 defense in Chicago, which he has described as a “best human talent” decision.
But Fox has always been a 4-3 coach, and one of the biggest names on the defense thinks he’s just a 4-3 player.
Fox hedged about the actual differences between the number of men on the front, but there are some important distinctions. Specifically, Fox said the plan was to line veteran pass-rusher Jared Allen up at outside linebacker for now.
“Well again I mean I haven’t seen that so it’d be hard for me to evaluate until we get him out there but he’s a good football player, he’s got good instincts,” Fox said. “So my experience has been that works in a two-point or a three-point stance.”
Allen has made it clear in the past, however, how he sees himself.
“I want to end my career as a defensive end,” he said in 2011, via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com, when the Vikings were considering switching to a 3-4. “And I’m not playing a 2-gap, let me just throw that out the window now.
"[Going to a 3-4] is something that will be addressed if and when it happens. I know that we have enough mutual respect for each other that they would at least give me a head’s up and give me an option of what I would want to do. I don’t see that in the future.”
The Bears are bereft enough of defensive talent that Fox will likely listen to Allen, and mold a roll accordingly if they want to keep him. But the fact Allen has always said this scheme is a bad fit for him might mean the Bears just became one too.