Alan Williams resigned as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, the team announced Wednesday.
In a statement, Williams said he’s stepping back “to take care of my health and family.” Although, there have been multiple reports — including from Brad Biggs and Albert Breer — that indicate Williams’ resignation might not be health related at all.
Buy Bears TicketsFor now, all we know is Williams no longer is the Bears’ defensive coordinator and his statement indicates it’s due to health and family issues.
Williams did not travel with the Bears to Tampa last week due to personal reasons. Head coach Matt Eberflus called defensive plays in his absence. Earlier on Wednesday, Eberflus remained mum on details of Williams’ absence and whether he would return. Now, we know.
With everything happening at Halas Hall on Wednesday — Justin Fields taking a shot at coaches, then clarifying his comments, Braxton Jones landing on injured reserve, Nathan Peterman being released and Williams’ resignation — NFL fans had plenty to say about the Bears.
It was just 10 days ago that we all thought we were about to see a new era of #Bears football. Turns out, the new, could be a new low. https://t.co/QYuOwDSyt0
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) September 20, 2023
From what I’m hearing this is more than warranted and more to come. Rightfully so.
In the football side of it, (which this is much bigger and more important)such a mess and I feel for the players because this will cause chaos that is not needed in that locker room right now. https://t.co/II1tvGIaVQ
— Taylor Doll (@TayDoll1010xl) September 20, 2023
Here’s the statement from resigning Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams. I’d be careful in jumping to conclusions on this one but it’s definitely fair to say the staff there is stunned. In the words of one coach: “F—ing crazy.” pic.twitter.com/CO1Rn01X68
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 20, 2023
I got to know Alan during his time in Indy. I have no idea what's going on in his life, but I'm praying he comes out of whatever this is OK. https://t.co/J7HLNbxFA3
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 20, 2023
Your health and your family!?!??!?!?!?!?!? MAN https://t.co/1EcQB5bjEx
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) September 20, 2023
He thinks he’s going to be able to eventually come back to the NFL. https://t.co/JMXwAn1kCm
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) September 20, 2023
All the rumors swirling around this remind me of the Washington/Larry Michael/Sexual Harassment stuff.
People in the know keep saying bad stuff is coming, but not giving any specifics. https://t.co/hEJJYR9KeA
— Brendan Darr (@BrendanDarr) September 20, 2023
Can’t remember a bigger dumpster fire start to a season than this 2023 Chicago Bears. Name one facet of the org that is doing a passable job. I’ll wait. https://t.co/fFnT3kodp8
— J Moyer (@JMoyerFB) September 20, 2023
Absolute disasterclass from Chicago yet AGAIN. Hiring Poles in 22 was the start of a "new era" but it's just more of the sad same reality. The last successful season they had was 2018 with Trubisky. Now they have a more talented player at the helm but.. https://t.co/TMoYtLkIqe
— Tsukamu/つかむ (@_Heph_) September 20, 2023
good riddance. sorry for whatever is going on with him. but man he could not call a defense https://t.co/SQBGVQgnV3
— Sadly A 🐻 Fan (@scottyboiii21) September 20, 2023
this does not look good. at all. https://t.co/QwKIulpydm
— kingsley. (@kbsomeswag) September 20, 2023
I remember thinking to myself when the White Sox started 7-21, losing 10 in a row in the process amongst an uncovering of other major cultural issues, that it was as bad as it got as a fan of a team.
Then the Bears 2023 season started. https://t.co/vTGxNyt3S0
— Lakeshore Sports (@ChiLakeSports) September 20, 2023
Oh man. Lots going on in Chicago Bears land. Non-football related. https://t.co/GRlTNviQwr
— The Best Ball Junkie (@BestBallJunkie) September 20, 2023
Bears organization a mess at every level https://t.co/YVto5Sui59
— Barlow (@ChrisBarlow____) September 20, 2023
Mood after opening X a few times today and seeing all the @ChicagoBears breaking news: pic.twitter.com/yL1dYGSmPk
— Drunk Ryan Poles (@DrunkRyanPoles) September 20, 2023
What the hell is happening with the Bears?
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 20, 2023
Today’s #DaBears news has been so crazy the team had to deny the FBI raided Halas Hall. A team in chaos and in crisis.
— Todd Welter (@toddjdub) September 20, 2023
Chicago's DC resigns with the staff blindsided. Justin Fields holds his press conference then does another one in the locker room. Just an out-of-control news day at Halas Hall. https://t.co/n6SckdB2Ci
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) September 20, 2023
Crazy day in Bears land https://t.co/wiT1CwXWRe
— Dave Schroeder (@SchroederWBAY) September 20, 2023
A big scandal is clearly about to drop about the Chicago Bears and DC Alan Williams https://t.co/nm3u4YVQul
— Nicky 🇺🇸 (@NickyScatz) September 20, 2023
There are many reporters still hinting at something much bigger regarding Alan Williams. I get a feeling the #Bears and Williams statements aren't the full story. This has been a day.
— Jason (@AtomicBurrito98) September 20, 2023
So we've got Fields taking charge of himself, the Alan Williams mystery/resignation, Braxton Jones is hurt, and now Peterman is gone?
I miss anything?
— Steven (@SJS_illini) September 20, 2023
Just when the Justin Fields situation seems like it was getting out of control in comes Alan Williams. #DaBears pic.twitter.com/tBQ8NBh6UT
— RaiderRandy (@LVRaidersRandy) September 20, 2023
This Alan Williams news has to be insane the way nobody wants to break it and risk any of it being wrong
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) September 20, 2023
Here’s my hope. Hopefully Alan Williams & his family are fine. Eberflus can call the defense for the final 15 games & maybe, just maybe Justin Fields’ words will spark change on the offense. Maybe then the #Bears can be more interesting on the field than off the field.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) September 20, 2023
Bears season going from comically terrible to ominously unnerving https://t.co/yUH51X4f45
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 20, 2023
#Bears are a hot mess right now.. https://t.co/wZiTKzIFhj
— Lisa Johnson (@LJ1303) September 20, 2023
This looks familiar….🤔 https://t.co/0O5ZU8O6TH pic.twitter.com/qm3CXacCCx
— chuck II (@chuckdeuce_) September 20, 2023
Land speed record for teamwide meltdown after an NFL season begins. https://t.co/TvaAWYiyud
— Alex Bean (@ABeanTweeting) September 20, 2023
Has a team ever been down this bad??? Good grief! https://t.co/r3jnrvrbrB
— kbar (@kylebargmann) September 20, 2023
This has been by far the craziest day at Halas Hall for me in 8 years on the beat. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) September 20, 2023
Hey, Chicago sports teams…do everything right now. Everything. The Bears got you covered for the next few weeks.
— Goff (@Jason1Goff) September 20, 2023
justin fields not even close to the biggest story with the bears today
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) September 20, 2023
Alan Williams resigned, and we still have 15 more weeks of #Bears football. pic.twitter.com/SXEc26iGgD
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) September 20, 2023