Ryan Poles reinforces the idea that Andrew Billings is the anchor of the Bears' defense and how detrimental it was losing him in 2024
The Chicago Bears defense is aiming to return to it's former glory in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.Allen, especially, has highlighted the desire to be an attacking-style defense from top to bottom and that starts by having a strong presence with the defensive front, both in attacking […]
The Chicago Bears defense is aiming to return to it's former glory in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson and new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Allen, especially, has highlighted the desire to be an attacking-style defense from top to bottom and that starts by having a strong presence with the defensive front, both in attacking the quarterback and defending the run.
The Bears have made some major improvements to that unit specifically by signing Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett followed by the selection of Shemar Turner in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Those new additions paired with the returning players can give the Bears the desired mentality and versatility to have a strong defensive front.
The rotation last year for the unit was an early success but the wheels quickly fell off the tracks after defensive tackle Andrew Billings suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.
When the Bears hired former Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the team's new head coach, Johnson noted during his introductory press conference that the entire defense looked completely different in 2024 with Billings off the field compared to what he prepared for in 2023 facing Chicago.
While on the Kap & J Hood Show on ESPN1000 last week, general manager Ryan Poles reinforced that belief in regards to how the loss of Billings left a void on defense.
"When he was out, you could feel our run defense start to slide and that affects the middle, that affects the linebackers, and everybody else. And then, all of a sudden you're out of wack," Poles explained. "Then, teams can run and play-action becomes even more deadly."
Losing Big Bill was an under the radar moment that really pushed things off the ledge for the Bears' 2024 season and it's clear having Billings back on the field in 2025 will be a huge boost for the entire organization.
"Big Bill's in here getting lean, which I love to see. I'll tell you this, that whole building is excited [to have him back]," Poles added.
Having the unit's starting nose tackle back in the middle alongside Jarrett, Turner, and Gervon Dexter Sr. will give the Bears a strong interior front to collapse the line of scrimmage with. Billings is a very underappreciated member of that unit and it's great to see him get his flowers for the hard work he's putting in to get back on the field.
