This is weird: Bears fire RBs coach David Walker

The season of dysfunction for the Chicago Bears continues.

According to multiple reports, the Bears fired running backs coach David Walker, marking the second assistant on coach Matt Eberflus’ staff dismissed this year.

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams technically resigned, but if you believe that’s how he actually left the team, I have a bridge I’d like to sell you.

ESPN reported that human resources was involved in Williams’ departure. Yeah, that’s not a resignation, that’s a dismissal.

Walker joined the Bears coaching staff in 2022, Eberflus hired him. Chicago’s rushing offense led the NFL last season (3,014 yards) in the best single-season rushing performance in Bears history. Most of that success can be attributed to the near-historic rushing season had by QB Justin Fields, which has nothing to do with Walker.

Fields ran for 1,143 yards in 2022.

It’s rare for an NFL team to dismiss one assistant coach during the season. It’s absurd for two to be ousted.

This is a problem that runs much deeper than individual performance. The Bears preach locker room culture as a primary pillar for future success, but it seems like the coaches charged with constructing that culture are a complete disaster.

Eberflus already owns the Bears’ all-time worst coaching record at 5-20 over his first 25 games. His on-field product has, at times, been embarrassing. And with this bizarre turnover in his coaching staff, his off-field management skills are beginning to reach embarrassing levels, too.

Don’t expect much clarity on this situation, either. The Bears haven’t been transparent with Williams, and there’s no reason to think they will be with Walker. Eberflus will probably toe the company line, saying something like “we’re going to keep it in-house,” “we wish him the best,” “it was time to make a change.”

Sure, Coach! Whatever!

It’s becoming more difficult by the day to defend this organization. The Bears are rich in tradition and should be viewed as one of the premier franchises in the NFL. Instead, under the current regime, they’ve quickly become the NFL’s biggest punchline.

It’s one thing to screw up player evaluations or make bad calls during a game. That will always be part of the frustrated fan experience. But having dysfunction in the coaching staff is unacceptable.

Bears fans deserve better.