ERIC WASHINGTON enters his first season with the New York Jets as the defensive line coach, bringing nearly two decades of NFL coaching experience to the team. Prior to the Jets, Washington served as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator for the 2024 season.

While in Chicago, Washington guided a Bears defense that produced an 8% sack rate per pass attempt, the 11th highest mark in the NFL. Additionally, Washington's unit held opposing offenses to a 46% efficiency rate in the redzone, the second lowest mark in the League, and to just a 67.6% success rate on goal-to-go downs, the ninth-lowest mark in the League.

Prior to his time in Chicago, Washington served as the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2020-23. In 2023, he helped guide a defense that held opposing offenses to 307.2 yards per game, the ninth-best mark in the League, and to 104.6 rushing yards per game, the fifth lowest mark in the League. During Washington's tenure, the Bills recorded a sack rate of 9.8% per pass attempt, the third-best rate in the League. Additionally, Washington helped contribute to defensive end Leonard Floyd's success that season, as Floyd registered a career-high 10.5 sacks, tied for 10th most in the League.

From 2011-17, Washington served as the defensive line coach for the Panthers prior to being named Defensive Coordinator for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. With the Panthers, Washington helped linebacker Luke Kuechly earn first-team All-Pro honors in 2018 and second-team All-Pro recognition in 2019. Under Washington in 2019, the Panthers defense ranked second in the NFL in sacks (53.0). Carolina ranked in the top 10 in sacks in five of his seven seasons as defensive line coach, including a number one ranking in 2013, a number two finish in 2016, and a number three finish in 2017.

In Washington's first stint with the Bears (2008-10), he helped preside over a defense that registered 34.0 sacks and ranked ninth in the NFL in total defense (314.3), second against the run (90.1), and fourth in points allowed (286) in 2010.

Washington began coaching in 1997 when he served as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M for one season before joining Ohio University's staff as an assistant coach from 2001-03. Following three seasons with the Bobcats, Washington joined Northwestern's coaching staff for four seasons as their defensive line coach (2004-07).

A Shreveport, LA native, Washington played tight end at Grambling State from 1989-90 and graduated with a degree in education from the school in 1993. He and his wife, Amy, have a son, Ellis.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets 2025-Present

Defensive Line 2025-Present

Chicago Bears 2024

Defensive Coordinator 2024

Buffalo Bills 2020-2023

Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line 2023

Senior Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line 2022

Defensive Line 2020-2021

Carolina Panthers 2011-2019

Defensive Coordinator 2018-2019

Defensive Line 2011-2017

Chicago Bears 2008-2010

Defensive Line 2010

Defensive Assistant 2008-2009

Northwestern University 2004-2007

Defensive Line 2004-2007

Ohio University 2001-2003

Assistant 2001-2003

Texas A&M University 1997

Assistant 1997

PLAYING CAREER

Grambling State (TE) 1989-90