Matt Eberflus supplied the general public remarks typically made by head coaches on the new seat after the Bears’ most up-to-date loss. The franchise is nonetheless making an unprecedented in-season change on the sidelines.
Eberflus has been fired, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. His tenure in Chicago ends after two-plus years on the helm. He compiled a 14-32 file alongside the way in which, and the most recent contribution to the staff’s present six-game shedding streak has marked the tip of his first NFL head teaching gig. Lately promoted offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will function interim head coach, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.
Eberflus had a strong four-year run because the Colts’ defensive coordinator earlier than being employed by the Bears to exchange Matt Nagy. The 54-year-old couldn’t information the staff to a run of success in two seasons with Justin Fields as quarterback, though through the second half of final 12 months, specifically, the protection confirmed indicators of enchancment. A number of strikes this previous offseason added new faces on offense, highlighted by the choice to maneuver on from Fields and choose Caleb Williams with the primary general decide. The latter’s rookie season has been marred by a string of shut losses in current weeks, a number of of which have elevated the hypothesis that Eberflus wouldn’t final the 12 months.
Chicago had a 4-2 file heading into the bye week, indicating the staff would at the very least be aggressive in what has confirmed to be a robust NFC North. The Bears misplaced to the Commanders on a Hail Mary (throughout which cornerback Tyrique Stevenson joined Eberflus in receiving appreciable blame) in Week 8, nonetheless, and that marked the start of the present streak. Low-scoring defeats towards the Cardinals and Patriots led to a play-calling change on offense, with Brown taking over from Shane Waldron as OC.
Williams’ play has typically improved since that transfer was made, however slim losses to the Packers (on a blocked subject objective), Vikings (in time beyond regulation) and Lions (throughout which the Bears mismanaged the state of affairs on the finish of the sport and didn’t generate at the very least an try at a game-tying subject objective) have now left Eberflus out of alternatives to rebound this season. Chicago sits at 4-8 on the 12 months with the postseason now not a sensible chance. He defended how the Thanksgiving game ended Thursday earlier than a short media availability Friday morning. Shortly after a number of public appearances — throughout which, in each instances, he expressed a perception he could be retained — Eberflus is now out of the group.
Three head coaching vacancies are now present in the NFL. The Jets moved on from Robert Saleh, while the Saints dismissed Dennis Allen. Eberflus joins them as a head coach with a defensive background who is looking for a new opportunity. No shortage of candidates (particularly on the offensive side of the ball) will be involved in the 2025 hiring cycle, and likely the earliest Eberflus will join a new staff.
Brown made his NFL coaching debut in 2020 with the Rams. He was a member of Sean McVay‘s staff for three years before taking the Panthers’ OC gig last offseason. The 2023 campaign saw head coach Frank Reich fired amidst changes in play-calling duties with Brown. The latter spent much of the year at the helm, though, and the lack of development shown by quarterback Bryce Young helped result in his departure. In a really brief interval, Brown has ascended from passing recreation coordinator to OC and, at the very least for a short-term spell, head coach.
From a big-picture perspective, Friday’s transfer represents the continuation of an unwelcome pattern relating to the HC-QB mixture in Chicago. Mitch Trubisky spent one season with John Fox earlier than a change on the sidelines was made. Nagy, in flip, spent one 12 months with Fields in place earlier than being dismissed on the finish of the 2021 marketing campaign. Eberflus has obtained lower than one full marketing campaign following the Williams choice. The younger passer’s growth is the group’s high precedence, and discovering a long-term coach to pair him with for 2025 and past will likely be vital in that course of.
In all, Eberflus turns into the fifth Bears head coach to be fired since George McCaskey took over as chairman in 2011. Over that span, Chicago has posted a successful file solely twice whereas biking by three common managers and one other three offensive coordinators. Discovering stability will likely be key shifting ahead, however the newest try on that entrance will embody a brand new voice on the sidelines.
