In a historic first for the Chicago Bears, head coach Matt Eberflus has been dismissed mid-season following the team’s 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Bears, now 4-8, are officially moving in a new direction as they aim to salvage their future amid a challenging season.
Eberflus’ Tenure Comes to an End
Hired in January 2022 after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, Eberflus finished his tenure in Chicago with a disappointing 14-32 record. Despite a promising 4-2 start this season, the Bears unraveled, losing six consecutive games and falling to the bottom of the NFC North.
Thanksgiving Missteps Seal the Deal
Eberflus’ handling of the final drive against the Lions drew sharp criticism. With the Bears trailing by three and 36 seconds left on the clock, quarterback Caleb Williams took a costly sack on second-and-20. Despite having a timeout available, Eberflus chose not to use it, letting precious seconds tick away.
By the time the Bears attempted a deep pass to receiver Rome Odunze, the clock had expired, sealing their defeat. Eberflus defended his decision postgame:
> “I think we handled it the right way… you rerack the play, get it in bounds and call timeout. It didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”
However, the Bears’ management felt differently, leading to Eberflus’ dismissal just hours after the game.
Interim Coach Steps In
Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was let go earlier this season, and now Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach. The Bears will begin the search for their 18th head coach in franchise history, hoping to rebuild for the future.
What’s Next for Eberflus?
Though his time in Chicago has ended, Eberflus could still find opportunities elsewhere in the NFL, leveraging his defensive expertise from his time with the Colts.
The Bears, meanwhile, face mounting pressure to find a leader who can restore the storied franchise to prominence.
