Bears Will Continue To Use 4-3 Defense

(CBS) After some offseason discussion, the Bears will continue to utilize a 4-3 defensive scheme, the team's official website announced.

"It's a matter of being able to utilize the people that we have and be ready to do whatever it's going to take with a system that's flexible enough to do it," coach Marc Trestman said. "It's making sure we have a scheme that can utilize our players and bring the best out of them."

After a season in which they allowed the most points (478) and yards (6,313) in franchise history, the Bears face a critical offseason. Getting a pass rusher and safety help are two priorities, and general manager Phil Emery spoke of the importance of upgrading the defense.

"Right now our priority is adding playmakers on defense," Emery said. "We need to enhance our defense's ability to make game-determining plays. The No. 1 goal of our defense will always be to score points because when your defense scores your chances of winning are astronomically high compared to when they don't."

Emery also spoke publicly for the first time about the decision to retain defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.

"We went through an extensive process and what came to the forefront was that Mel possesses the necessary skills, personality subset, character, patience and passion to be that guy," Emery said.