Alan Williams Resigns from Bears

After more than a week away and an unexplained disappearance, Alan Williams resigned as Bears defensive coordinator after one season and the start to this one.

"It is with great regret that I tender my resignation as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears football club effective immediately," Williams said in a statement he gave the team for release. "I am taking a step back to take care of my health and my family. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history. The McCaskey family is first-class and second to none. I would also like to thank coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles for giving me the opportunity to come to Chicago. I would also like to thank president Kevin Warren, the coaches and players of which I value the relationships and camaraderie.

"I value the NFL shield and all that it stands for and after taking some time to address my health, I plan to come back and coach again."

The internet had been full of conjecture and unsubstantiated rumors the past day about Williams but coach Matt Eberflus and the team refused to comment on Williams, who had missed Thursday and Friday practices last week and then the game.

A Bears spokesman said a well-circulated rumor about Halas Hall being raided by police in connection with Williams was not true, and that there have been no police at Halas Hall in relation to Williams.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus will continue calling defensive plays and handling the defense with assistance from the position coaches, as he did at last week's game.

"Yeah, like I said before, we have (safeties coach) Andre Curtis, (secondary coach) Jon Hoke, all those guys that have great experience, guys that have been in our system, (Dave) Borgonzi, (David) Overstreet (II), all those guys are working diligently so we're prepared and ready to go."

Most defensive assistants were in Eberflus' scheme in Indianapolis, but this doesn't account for the extra time the head coach now has to devote to overseeing one side of the ball in particular.

"I spend time with the offense on the game-plan days," Eberflus said. "I spend breakfast club with the quarterbacks.

"I meet with the coaches in the evening on the offensive side. And then I'm in the interim game plan also on Monday, Tuesday with the defense. I'm meeting with those guys. I'm in the unit meetings with the defense. Like I said, it's 50/50. You're splitting it 50/50 there, that's what you do."

Bears defensive players say they have been largely in the dark about Williams or that situation.

"I hope he's OK, I hope everything's all good but when you get to the building it's just focus on the job first," defensive tackle Andrew Billings said. "When you come here everything else out of the building leaves and you focus on what's important and that's the next game."

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