Being a Bears assistant coach should come with a hazard warning.
The Bears fired running backs coach David Walker, according to The Athletic, and the franchise’s human resources department played a role in the decision.
The team’s human resources department previously “reprimanded” the 53-year-old regarding his workplace behavior, according to ESPN, which reported a second instance prompted Walker getting fired.
Walker, in his second season with the team, is the second assistant coach to leave the Bears midseason, joining former defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
The 2023 season has been disastrous for the 2-6 Bears aside from their positioning for great 2024 draft picks, but the shuffling of coaches has made it downright bizarre.
Walker, a Rochester native who played for Syracuse, has 26 years of coaching experience, according to the team.
His coaching experience includes stints as a running backs coach at the collegiate level with Syracuse and Pittsburgh, along with NFL roles with the Colts (2011-14) and Lions (2016-18).
The Bears produced the most rushing yards in franchise history last season, while also leading the NFL.
This season, the Bears rank sixth with 132.8 rushing yards per game while dealing with injuries to quarterback Justin Fields and starting running back Khalil Herbert.
Chicago will potentially shuffle some internal roles to fill in for Walker.
There is little known about Walker’s dismissal as of early Wednesday morning, but this is yet another tough look for the organization.
Williams resigned from his role as defensive coordinator in September due to “inappropriate” behavior, according to ESPN, and that outcome also included the HR department.
His resignation included rumors that the FBI raided his house and the Bears facilities, though Williams’ attorney denied those allegations.
Williams mentioned his health and family reasons for why he stepped down.
The team does not currently have a defensive coordinator, with those duties falling to defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus.
The Bears, who surprisingly traded for pass rusher Montez Sweat on Tuesday, visit the Saints on Sunday in Week 9.
They currently own the second and third overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft following Week 8, per Tankathon.
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