The Carolina Panthers added another coach to their staff today when Eric Washington was named defensive line coach.

Washington spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Bears and while he arrived after Panthers coach Ron Rivera left, Washington had a minority coaching internship with the team when Rivera was the defensive coordinator in Chicago.

“Eric brings youth and experience to our staff and is a good fit to work with our young defensive
line,” Rivera said in a statement released by the team. “He has coached on all levels of football and we are pleased to have him on our staff.”

Prior to joining the Bears, Washington spent four seasons at Northwestern where he helped coach Luis Castillo, Barry Cofield and Corey Wootton. Washington joins coordinator Sean McDermott, secondary coach Ron Meeks and quality control assistant Sam Mills III on the defensive staff in Carolina.

With Washington gone, Bears coach Lovie Smith will have to hire his sixth line coach in eight seasons.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune