Colts reportedly eyeing Washington coach for defensive coordinator vacancy

The Washington Football Team hasn’t played a part in the NFL’s annual coaching carousel, but that could change very quickly.

To the best of our knowledge, Washington was planning to return their entire coaching staff from the 2021 season. That includes top coordinators Scott Turner and Jack Del Rio, as well as offensive line coach John Matsko.

As we’ve learned, though, nothing is ever a given in the NFL. Much like an elusive ball-carrier, plans can change direction on a dime.

On Monday night, this came full-circle, as Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported that the Indianapolis Colts are targeting Washington defensive backs coach Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Of course, Matt Eberflus served as Indy’s DC for the last four years and was just appointed as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.

The Colts are eyeing Washington DBs coach Chris Harris for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Harris might not have the reputation of some of the other candidates out there, but he’s ascended up the coaching ranks over the years. A former sixth-round pick of the Bears, he played in the NFL for eight years (2005 to 2012) and jumped into the coaching in his first season out of the league in 2013.

After two years as a defensive assistant for Chicago, Harris enjoyed a two-year stint as the Chargers’ assistant DBs coach before he took a promotion with Washington as the full-time defensive backs coach in 2020.

While Washington’s secondary took their lumps in the first half of 2021, that can largely be attributed to a lack of continuity. The fact the group turned it around to the extent it did is a testament to Harris’ coaching ability.

We’d also be remiss if we didn’t recognize the job Harris did in 2020. On top of wheedling consistent output from unknown commodities in Jimmy Moreland and Jeremy Reaves, he made the most of an unfavorable situation at safety.

Of course, Landon Collins was out through injury and Troy Apke was benched amid a stretch of poor performances. In light of that adversity, Harris got the absolute maximum out of seventh-round rookie Kamren Curl, a lifetime special teamer in Deshazor Everett and the aforementioned Reaves.

It took three days between it being reported that the Colts would interview Harris until he was named a leading candidate for the job, so that shows you how much he impressed head coach Frank Reich and GM Chris Ballard.

Depending on who else the Colts are scheduled to interview, the hiring process could move quickly, so keep those notifications nearby. If this report has any legs, Washington could be in the market for a new DBs coach before long.