How The Bears Created a Monster Hiring Deshea Townsend

One of the more forgotten hires of the whirlwind Chicago Bears offseason is Deshea Townsend. Most know as the former defensive backs coach for the New York Giants last year along with being a former cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. During that time he helped the team win two championships and was involved in some of their biggest all-time moments.

What nobody may realize yet is how perfect an addition he is for the reconstructed secondary they’ve put together. Specifically the safety position with Eddie Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. One thing that stood out about Townsend during his playing career was his ability to read the quarterback and make plays on the ball in coverage.

Most of his interceptions saw him cut into the passing lane right when least expected. It’s not an easy thing to master and is a big reason he had 21 career interceptions. There is also something else to note. It seems he has a knack for teaching this style of play to his players.

Deshea Townsend showed his magic touch with Kevin Byard

The first sign that Townsend has the ability to teach this sort of thing came in 2017. He was defensive backs coach for the Tennessee Titans that year. His group had 12 interceptions total, and eight of them came courtesy of All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. Many of those plays were of the same style Townsend became known for. Baiting the quarterback and then cutting into the passing lane.

This continued last year in New York where he got a career-high four interceptions out of Curtis Riley, a former undrafted free agent from Oakland. Now try to imagine what Townsend might be able to do with Jackson and Clinton-Dix. Both are former or current Pro Bowlers and each has an established reputation for coverage ability.

Over the past two seasons they’ve combined for 14 interceptions. Put them under a secondary coach who coaches that style of play and there is no telling how many more passes they might get their hands on in 2019. If nothing else, it’s clear the Bears got their decision exactly right when they chose to sign Clinton-Dix in free agency.

He is the perfect sort of safety for Townsend.