USAT: Bears Wire audio clip

USAT: Bears Wire

Mar 22, 2022

- - - One of the Chicago Bears’ least surprising signings though the first wave of free agency was former Indianapolis Colts defensive End Al-Quadin Muhammad, who spent the last four years working under new head coach Matt Eberflus. - Muhammad comes to Chicago not only with an understanding of Eberflus’ scheme but knowing what to expect from his new head coach. And it’s clear that Eberflus is a “high-energy” guy who “brings the juice.” - - - “The appreciation I have for Coach Eberflus is the love that he has for the game,” Muhammad told reporters Sunday. “He’s the same guy every day. High-energy guy. He brings the juice. Nobody wants to win more than Eberflus, and I think a lot of people around here are going to see that. We’re all in this business to win, to win a Super Bowl. He’s going to give you his all. - - - - - “I mean, who wouldn’t want to play for a guy that brings the juice, that wants to win, that’s the same guy every day?” - The Bears are making the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense under Eberflus. Muhammad said that Eberflus’ scheme wasn’t difficult to learn, but it’s going to require some buy in from the current crop of players. - “I had to figure out the message that (Eberflus) was giving,” Muhammad said. “And I had to figure out how to do it on a consistent basis. I had to figure out how to do it every day. I had to change my perspective, change my mindset and I had to really just buy in. - - - “It wasn’t hard to buy in because the way the scheme is set up. If you’re not playing at a fast pace, you’re not running to the ball, punching at the ball, stripping at the ball, just 11 guys to the ball, you’re not going to play. I bought in to that immediately and I train that way during the offseason. Getting to the ball is always on my mind. - - - - - “That’s pretty much what he’s about, just having eight, nine, 10, all 11 guys to the ball. You’ve got a special defense if you’ve got 11 guys running to the ball.” - - - - List - - Breaking down every Bears move through first wave of free agency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bears Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bears Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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