The Chicago Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Friday, a day after a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions. The game ended with the Bears unable to complete a comeback due to poor clock management. Bears general manager Ryan Poles and chairman George H. McCaskey made the decision to part ways with Eberflus, stating that they wanted to take the team in a “different direction.” Poles expressed gratitude for Eberflus’ hard work and professionalism but emphasized the need for a change in leadership. Eberflus’ firing marks the first time in the team’s history that a head coach has been dismissed mid-season.
Eberflus’ dismissal came amid a six-game losing streak for the Bears, which included a series of heartbreaking last-second defeats. In Week 8, the Bears lost to the Washington Commanders after a tipped Hail Mary pass and a defensive misstep by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. They also suffered a narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 due to a blocked field goal, and an overtime defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12. The final blow was the loss to the Lions, where Eberflus failed to manage the clock properly in the final moments, resulting in the Bears’ comeback attempt falling short.
As the Bears look for a new head coach, interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will step into the role of interim head coach. Brown, who took over the offensive play-calling duties three weeks ago, will continue in this capacity as the team prepares for its next game against the San Francisco 49ers. Brown’s appointment aims to provide stability for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, whose development has been a bright spot for the Bears during the season. Williams has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two weeks under Brown’s play-calling.
Eberflus’ handling of the clock at the end of the Lions game was a key point in his dismissal. Despite trailing by three points with 32 seconds left, Eberflus chose not to call a timeout after a sack, allowing the clock to run down. His decision to conserve the timeout for a potential game-tying field goal rather than a final play for the end zone was criticized. Eberflus defended the strategy, but the lack of execution highlighted the mismanagement that had plagued the Bears throughout the season, contributing to his firing.
In his nearly three seasons as head coach, Eberflus posted a 14-32 record, with a .304 win percentage, the third worst in franchise history. His tenure was marked by a lack of success in one-score games, with a 5-19 record that is the worst in NFL history among coaches with at least 20 such games. Despite retaining Eberflus after a 10-24 start to his tenure, the Bears ultimately decided that the team needed a fresh start. Eberflus’ time with the Bears was also marked by significant staff turnover, with eight coaches fired during his short stint, including multiple offensive coordinators.
Eberflus was hired by the Bears in January 2022 after a successful run as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. While his defenses in Indianapolis had been among the NFL’s top 10, his time with the Bears was mixed. Although the Bears’ defense showed promise in 2023, ranking first in run defense and among the top in interceptions, the unit regressed significantly during the 2024 losing streak. The Bears’ defense ranks near the bottom in several categories this season, including rushing yards allowed and explosive plays. The new head coach will be tasked with improving both the team’s defense and overall performance as the Bears continue to search for sustained success.
