Dennis Allen has been one of the quiet pillars holding up the Chicago Bears' defense this season - and that’s no small feat. With injuries piling up and key starters missing extended time, the Bears could’ve easily unraveled on that side of the ball.
But Allen’s leadership has kept things afloat, even elevating the unit to the top of the league in takeaways. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s a testament to a coordinator who knows how to maximize what he’s got, even when the deck is stacked against him.
Still, even the best coaches have their missteps - and Allen had a few in Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay.
Some of the issues were pretty standard fare. A couple of questionable coverage calls here, a mistimed blitz there - the kind of decisions that can get punished quickly by a capable offense.
And that’s exactly what happened. The Packers capitalized, with Christian Watson delivering a back-breaking touchdown that swung momentum firmly in Green Bay’s favor.
But the most surprising decision from Allen didn’t come during the game. It came before kickoff, when he handed the defensive play-calling duties to linebacker D’Marco Jackson.
Yes, D’Marco Jackson - not Tremaine Edmunds, not Kevin Byard - was wearing the green dot, the helmet communicator that designates the on-field signal-caller for the defense. Jackson played all 53 defensive snaps and was tasked with making the calls and adjustments in real time.
“Wearing that green dot and communication, you just get more comfortable and comfortable the more you do something like that,” Jackson said after the game.
That’s a fair point. Confidence and comfort come with reps.
But Sunday’s assignment was a big leap. Jackson may have experience in Allen’s system from their time together in New Orleans, but most of that came from the sideline.
He was a reserve player, not someone who had logged heavy in-game reps. Going from that to leading the entire defense against a divisional rival on the road?
That’s a tall order.
Meanwhile, Edmunds - a seasoned veteran with Pro Bowl credentials - was back on the field. And Byard, another high-IQ veteran with a deep understanding of opposing offenses, was also available. Either could’ve taken the reins and brought a steadier hand to the huddle.
Instead, the Bears rolled with Jackson, and it showed. Green Bay’s offense found its rhythm, and the defense couldn’t quite settle in.
It wasn’t all on Jackson, of course - but the communication and adjustments just weren’t sharp enough. And against a quarterback who can exploit mismatches and tempo, that’s a dangerous game to play.
Allen’s decision to trust Jackson speaks to the belief he has in the young linebacker. But it also raises questions about risk management in high-stakes matchups.
With a rematch against the Packers looming next week at Soldier Field, Allen may want to reevaluate who’s wearing that green dot - especially if T.J. Edwards is ready to go.
Edwards has the experience and has shown he can handle the role when healthy.
For now, Jackson is expected to hold the job for at least one more week as the Bears prepare to face Cleveland. It’s another tough test, and another opportunity for Jackson to grow. But if the Bears want to tighten things up defensively in the stretch run, Allen might have to make a switch - not because Jackson can’t do the job, but because someone else might be better equipped to do it right now.
Allen’s been one of the smartest voices in the Bears’ building all season. Sunday was a reminder that even the sharpest minds can miss. The question now is whether he adjusts - and how quickly.