Alan Williams has resigned, efficient instantly, because the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator, the crew introduced Wednesday afternoon, and amid rumors on the contrary, the crew says there was no police involvement within the matter.
“I’m taking a step again to look after my well being and my household,” Williams stated in an announcement. “I recognize the chance to work with the Chicago Bears, an iconic NFL crew with a wealthy historical past…I recognize the NFL Defend and every part it represents, and after taking a while to handle my well being, I plan to educate once more. “
The 53-year-old has been away from the crew since final week attributable to what coach Matt Eberflus known as “private causes.”
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A crew spokesperson addressed web rumors suggesting that authorities raided Halas Corridor (the Chicago Bears’ headquarters) on Wednesday morning in relation to Williams, He called them lies, in line with a number of experiences. The Bears stated police didn’t go to Halas Corridor in reference to Williams. The Athletic reported that the NFL was not concerned within the scenario, and it was Williams’ determination to resign. Albert Brier Sports Illustrated He stated the Bears’ teaching workers continues to be “stunned” by Williams’ resignation.
A crew spokesman described the rumors concerning the raid on Halas Corridor right this moment as false. We’re additionally informed that the police didn’t go to Halas Corridor in relation to Alan Williams.
-Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 20, 2023
Andrew M. Struth, a Chicago-based legal professional, is representing Williams and reiterated that he’s resigning attributable to well being points and private points. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
He added: “Given the false rumors and what appears to be spreading on social media, I simply wish to set the document straight. Coach Williams has some well being challenges and a few household points that he is coping with, and he believes that is the proper time to make a transfer.” “Going again and coping with these points,” Struth informed ESPN. “He has nice respect for the Bears group and thought this was the proper time to handle this well being difficulty and his private issues.”
Newsweek I reached out to Bears and Stroth by way of e mail for remark.
Struth stated throughout a radio look on 670 The Rating on Wednesday night time that there was “completely no legal exercise” related to Williams’ resignation, regardless of web rumors.
Is there any authorized or legal matter associated to Alan Williams’ resignation as Bears defensive coordinator?
Legal professional Andrew M. Struth: “Thanks for that query. There’s completely no legal exercise concerned.”
Struth emphasizes this forcefully and “unequivocally.”
— 670 The Rating (@670TheScore) September 20, 2023
With Williams absent, Eberflus took over the Bears’ defensive play-calling duties in a 27-17 Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Eberflus was requested about Williams’ situation a number of occasions earlier Wednesday throughout a information convention however declined to offer an replace.
Earlier than Williams’ resignation was introduced, Eberflus had already introduced that he would nonetheless name the protection once more in Week 3 towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Eberflus stated earlier Wednesday that he feels the crew is able to managing with no defensive coordinator due to the expertise of the remainder of the teaching workers.
Williams was employed as Chicago’s defensive coordinator forward of the 2022 season after Eberflus was named head coach.
The 2 had beforehand labored on the identical defensive workers with the Indianapolis Colts. The previous William and Mary has been teaching within the NFL since 2001 with different stops in Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Detroit. He was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and 2013.
“The McCaskey household is top-notch and second to none,” Williams additionally stated in his assertion. “I might additionally wish to thank coach Matt Eberflus and normal supervisor Ryan Bowles for giving me the chance to come back to Chicago. I might additionally wish to thank (crew president) Kevin Warren, the coaches and the gamers who I worth the relationships and camaraderie.”