The mindset for any team is simply to quickly move past disruptions, and the NFL schedule demands that pace, but the Bears’ firing of running backs coach David Walker has disrupted their preparation for a game against the Saints on Sunday.
“It’s gonna affect us in some form, but we’ve gotta learn to adapt to the change,” rookie running back Roschon Johnson said after practice Thursday. “It’s unfortunate, but in this business it’s next man up. That’s for me, that’s for coaches, that’s for anybody.
“I’m praying for Coach Walker with everything that transpired, but ultimately we’ve gotta prepare for this next game.”
The Bears dismissed Walker on Wednesday morning because of misconduct, and general manager Ryan Poles said, “If you don’t meet expectations of how you move around this building and how you treat people, how you talk to people, how you act, you don’t belong here.”
A source told the Sun-Times that Walker had been warned about the inappropriate behavior, which has not been specified, and repeated it. He was the second coach to leave over violation of human resources policies, following defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ mysterious resignation six weeks earlier.
Johnson and fellow running back D’Onta Foreman said they were unaware of Walker’s misdeeds — “It’s really none of my business or concern at this moment,” Johnson said — and were surprised when coach Matt Eberflus said he’d been fired. Top running back Khalil Herbert is on injured reserve and did not talk to reporters.
Omar Young, who was the assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, has stepped in to replace Walker.
“It’s definitely going to be an adjustment having another person in there and trying to get a feel for the way he goes about and does things, but we’re all pros,” Foreman said. “It’s definitely a surprise, but all blessings to [Walker] and his family. We’ve just gotta stay focused on what we’ve got in front of us.”
Foreman added that it was “tough” to learn that the man who had been coaching him since March was acting inappropriately behind the scenes. It hurt Johnson, too, because Walker was instrumental in his quick climb from being a fourth-round draft pick to the No. 2 running back.
“He helped me along the way,” Johnson said. “He’s a big reason why I’m even here. Much respect to him and much love for him for believing in me and helping me develop as a professional.”
Now, in addition to working on the game plan against the Saints, the running backs are helping Young get caught up.
“Omar predominantly worked with the receivers, but he knows what everybody’s supposed to do,” Johnson said. “He’s very involved when it comes to the installs.
“We have a lot of trust in Omar. He knows the system like the back of his hand.”
The instability comes at a time when the Bears can ill afford it, not that there’s ever good timing for an episode like this. They were fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (999) and fifth in yards per carry (4.8) through Week 7, but managed just 73 yards at a rate of 2.9 per rush in the 30-13 loss to the Chargers.
Young must help reignite the ground game to give the Bears a chance against the Saints, who are No. 2 in opponent passer rating (73.2) and No. 7 in yards passing allowed (189.5), but are near the middle of the league in most run defense categories.
“That’s a big focal point of our game and what helps us go,” Foreman said. “When we can be balanced and we can spread the ball around, that’s when we’re most effective.”
