The Chicago Bears' busy offseason continues as the team looks to round out the remaining pieces of head coach Matt Eberflus' 2024 staff.

The Bears have already conducted an extensive search to find their next offensive coordinator, and now the search has begun to fill the vacant defensive coordinator position as well.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Bears will be interviewing Tennessee Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris for their open defensive coordinator job. The Bears will have some competition as the Jacksonville Jaguars are also interested in Harris for the same role.

Who is Chris Harris?

Harris could make his return to Chicago if selected as the team's next defensive coordinator in 2024. Harris was selected by the Bears with the 181st overall pick in the 6th round of the 2005 NFL Draft. 

The former La-Monroe cornerback played four total seasons in Chicago and also played for the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Harris played a key role in head coach Lovie Smith's defense and was a part of the team's 2006 Super Bowl run. In fact, Harris even intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning during the big game.

In 2010, Harris was named as a second-team All-Pro after starting 16 games for the Bears and recording 70 total tackles, five interceptions and seven pass deflections. 

After retiring following the 2012 season, Harris quickly returned to Chicago as the Bears' defensive quality control coach under head coach John Fox. Harris remained in that role until the conclusion of the 2015 season after Fox's coaching staff was not retained.

Harris then joined San Diego Chargers as their assistant defensive backs coach in 2016 under head coach Mike McCoy. Following his stint with the Chargers, he then got to run the entire secondary on his own for three seasons with the Washington Commanders as their defensive backs coach under Ron Rivera.

Harris was hired by the Titans in January, 2023 and spent the last season as head coach Mike Vrabel's defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

2023 Resume

In his role with the Titans during the 2023 season, Harris' unit in the secondary allowed 227.4 passing yards per game (18th in the NFL) and 20 passing touchdowns (T-8th fewest). Each of the Titans' six interceptions in 2023 came from defensive backs under Harris. 

The Titans' defense as a whole allowed 21.6 points per game (16th in the NFL) and 335.1 total yards per game (18th) during the 2023 season. Titans' defensive coordinator Shane Bowen primarily handled play-calling duties for the unit.

If Harris joins the Bears' coaching staff that responsibly will reportedly fall on the shoulders of head coach Matt Eberflus, who took over the play-calling duties halfway through the 2023 season following defensive coordinator Alan Williams resignation.

Harris is a well respected coach in the league and is highly respected in the city of Chicago. He's a phenomenal first candidate that the Bears have considered for the open position on the coaching staff.

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