DeMarcus Walker updates latest with Bears defense |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - From 2020 to 2023, defensive end DeMarcus Walker played on a different team each season. Now, he is finally staying on a team’s roster for a second season as he enters his second year with the Chicago Bears.
Walker struggled with injury and was not 100 percent during the season. So, he learned from lessons about what not to do during the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season. “It was a blessing this offseason knowing where I was going to be home at. When you have that security, that helps you stay focused on the main thing,” Walker said. “Last year was definitely a learning lesson to not overwork during offseason, just be prepared and trust what you got going on and that was (a) more eye-opening thing for me last year, to come into this camp fully healthy and also knowing what you know the practice load that Flus is going to take us through too. So, I know what to expect now.” Last season marked the most games Walker has ever started in one season with 12. Through Chicago’s first 11 games, Walker had 1.5 sacks and six quarterback hits. However, he finished the season tying his career high in quarterback hits with 16 and had a total of 3.5 sacks. He showed his capacity to cause problems in the backfield, something that will be essential this upcoming season. Another factor that benefited Walker was the Bears' acquisition of edge rusher Montez Sweat in a trade with the Washington Commanders mid-season last year. Having Sweat on the opposite side, in addition to defensive end Yannick Ngakoue being available for a few games after the Sweat trade, helped create opportunities for Walker. “Obviously when (Montez) came in …, he demanded a lot of attention, especially when he started creating havoc and (the other) team start sliding him and checking on him and that freed me up,” Walker said. “So, got to compliment that and continue working. You can’t put it all on him. I got to show up (too), obviously, you got to make the (offensive coordinator) make a decision.” Numerous changes were made on the defensive side of the ball, all of which should benefit Walker. First, the Bears have a new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington. Walker says Coach Washington sees his potential and has a strong presence. “When he walks in the room, you can feel his presence, especially having that military background and when I was at the sack summit this offseason,” Walker said. “He sees my potential. I thank God for him.” Chicago also added one of Walker’s former teammates, safety Kevin Byard. The veteran safety was brought in to replace Eddie Jackson, who the Bears let go. From having played with Byard in the past, Walker knows the kind of person he is and leadership value he brings to Chicago. “I feel like with (safety Kevin Byard) and (safety Jaquan) Brisker back there, it’s just, they’ve been there before and me being with (Byard) with Tennessee, I already knew what type of leadership he was going to bring and everything,” Walker said. Defensive end Gervon Dexter is also expected to have an increased role. Dexter played in all 17 games last season during his rookie year, finishing the season with 2.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits. Many players have taken notice of Dexter, not just how he changed his body during the offseason but his dedication and determination. “He (knows) how to work. He (is) definitely determined and everything. So, whatever I know, I owe and whatever I can help him, tweaking, making sure he’s not overworking, making sure that to where the details, that to where that can help him become an elite pass pressure,” Walker said. “I don’t mind (passing) that to him because when he’s creating havoc, that helps me get the pressure off me. I get more one-on-ones.”
