Matt Eberflus offered the general public remarks often made by head coaches on the recent seat within the wake of the Bears’ most up-to-date loss. The franchise is nevertheless 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 involves an end after two-plus years on the helm of the team. He compiled a 14-32 record along the way in which, and the newest contribution to the team’s current six-game losing streak has marked the top of his first NFL head coaching gig. Recently-promoted offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will function interim head coach, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.
Eberflus had a robust four-year run because the Colts’ defensive coordinator before being hired by the Bears to interchange Matt Nagy. The 54-year-old was unable to guide the team to a run of success in two seasons with Justin Fields at quarterback, although in the course of the second half of last 12 months specifically the defense did show signs of improvement. Various moves made this past offseason added latest faces on offense, highlighted by the choice to maneuver on from Fields and choose Caleb Williams with the primary overall pick. The latter’s rookie season has been marred by a string of close losses in recent weeks, several of which have increased the speculation Eberflus wouldn’t last the 12 months.
Chicago had a 4-2 record heading into the bye week, a sign the team would no less than be competitive in what has proven to be a really strong NFC North. The Bears lost to the Commanders on a Hail Mary (during which cornerback Tyrique Stevenson joined Eberflus in receiving considerable blame) in Week 8, nonetheless, and that marked the start of the present streak. Low-scoring defeats against the Cardinals and Patriots led to a play-calling change on offense, with Brown taking up from Shane Waldron as OC.
Williams’ play has generally improved since that move was made, but narrow losses to the Packers (on a blocked field goal), Vikings (in extra time) and Lions (during which the Bears mismanaged the situation at the top of the sport and didn’t generate no less than an attempt at a game-tying field goal) have now left Eberflus out of opportunities to rebound this season. Chicago sits at 4-8 on the 12 months with the postseason not a practical possibility. He defended the way through which the Thanksgiving game ended yesterday before a temporary media availability this morning. Shortly after multiple public appearances – during which, in each cases, he expressed a belief he can be retained – Eberflus is now out of the organization.
Three head coaching vacancies are actually present within the NFL. The Jets moved on from Robert Saleh while Dennis Allen was dismissed by the Saints. Eberflus now joins them as a head coach with a defensive background looking out for a brand new opportunity. No shortage of candidates (particularly on the offensive side of the ball) will probably be involved within the 2025 hiring cycle, likely the earliest point at which Eberflus will join a brand new staff.
Brown made his NFL coaching debut in 2020 with the Rams. He was a member of Sean McVay‘s staff for 3 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 12 months on the helm, though, and the dearth of development shown by quarterback Bryce Young helped result in his departure. In a really short time frame, Brown has now ascended from passing game coordinator to OC and now, no less than for a short-term spell, head coach.
From a big-picture perspective, today’s move represents the continuation of an unwelcomed trend regarding the HC-QB combination in Chicago. Mitch Trubisky spent one season with John Fox before a change on the sidelines was made. Nagy, in turn, spent one 12 months with Fields in place before being dismissed at the top of the 2021 campaign. Now, Eberflus has received lower than one full campaign following the Williams selection. The young passer’s development is after all the organization’s top priority, and finding a long-term coach to pair him with for 2025 and beyond will probably be critical in that process.
In all, Eberflus becomes the fifth Bears head coach to be fired since George McCaskey took over as chairman in 2011. Over that span, Chicago has posted a winning record only twice while cycling through three general managers and one other three offensive coordinators. Finding stability will probably be key moving forward, but the newest attempt on that front will include a brand new voice on the sidelines.
