Bears Fire Running Backs Coach, Human Resources Involved in Decision, per Report

The Bears fired running backs coach David Walker, head coach Matt Eberflus announced on Wednesday. 

“As the head coach, we are building a program and have standards to uphold to as a staff and organization, both on and off the field, and those standards were not met,” Eberflus said, via Chris Emma. “I’m not going to get into details other than he’s no longer on the staff.”

The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain and Adam Jahns first reported on Wednesday that Walker’s firing involved Chicago’s human resources department. According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Chicago made the decision following a workplace incident that was Walker’s second with the team, as he was “reprimanded” earlier for his first incident.

Walker joined Chicago in 2022 after head coach Matt Eberflus was first hired by the team. Previously, Walker hadn’t coached in the league since 2018, when he was the running backs coach for the Lions. In his career, Walker has worked for the Colts in the NFL, while also spending time with Pittsburgh and Syracuse at the collegiate level.

Walker is now the second Bears assistant coach to leave midseason, as defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned in September. Chicago’s HR department was also involved in that decision, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Williams participated in “inappropriate” conduct.