Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson cited a clear drop-off in the team’s defense last season after Andrew Billings was lost to a pectoral injury, and that was as the offensive coordinator for the NFC North rival Detroit Lions. Billings is back healthy and has participated in the Bears’ offseason program.
However, despite how Johnson framed the veteran’s impact, Billings says he is working through what his role will be this season, just like everyone else.
Andrew Billings Gets Honest About Role Under New Bears Coaches
Bears DT Andrew Billings Still Ready to Stuff the Run
Billings returns to a retooled defensive line, particularly on the interior, where the team signed Grady Jarrett from the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
They also selected versatile youngster Shemar Turner in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears still have promising third-year DT Gervon Dexter Sr. and reserves Chris Williams, Jonathan Ford, and Zacch Pickens, another 2023 draft pick.
Where everyone settles in the rotation is still being determined.
“I’m working through everything with everybody else. Part of what we’re doing here, too, is we’re figuring out our roles. And, of course, I had a big role last year,” Billings told Clocker Sports on Thursday. “Every year, you got to work up to maintaining that or achieving even more. So, that’s what I’m working towards. I’m still going to be the run stopper, I’m still going to work on pass rush, I’m still going to work on my move call, and everything else.”
Johnson’s previous comments suggest Billings will once again be key to what the Bears want to do under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
New Defense, Same Responsibilities for Andrew Billings
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen on the field during mandatory minicamp. Mandatory credit: Clocker Sports.
“There might not be as much star power right now. But collectively, they made it very difficult to run the football against,” Johnson told reporters in a fireside chat after his introductory press conference in January. “This year [2024], what was a little different than 2023 was Billings being out. And him being out, we could feel that when we played Chicago.”
Billings expects little to change about what the Bears want him to provide. He would not delve too deeply, but hinted at some wrinkles being thrown in.
Still, he has not been asked to do anything he is not used to.
“It’s the same role; playing nose guard and just being a vet on the D line,” Billings told reporters. “[The scheme]’s a little different. We’re not tilting as much, we’re saying staying square. But other than that, it’s pretty much the same reads and all that.”
