The Chicago Bears have fired head coach Matt Eberflus after a disappointing 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions, marking his sixth consecutive defeat. Eberflus, who had held a news conference earlier that day expressing confidence in his ability to coach against the San Francisco 49ers, was dismissed just hours later. His record with the Bears stood at 14-32, including a woeful 5-19 in one-score games, the worst in NFL history for any coach with that many such games.
The loss to Detroit was emblematic of the team’s struggles, as Eberflus failed to call a timely timeout with 32 seconds remaining, squandering the opportunity for a game-tying 58-yard field goal attempt. This followed a series of other mismanagements, such as a blocked field goal attempt against the Green Bay Packers and a failed Hail Mary attempt against Washington.
Bears fans, who have grown accustomed to frustration, celebrated the firing but remain skeptical about the future of the franchise, especially regarding management’s ability to hire the right coach. Interim head coach Thomas Brown will likely focus on developing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has shown promise with multiple touchdown passes and a record-setting streak of passes without an interception.
One of Eberflus’ key failings was his inability to manage close games and develop his coaching staff, as he fired eight assistants during his tenure, including two offensive coordinators. This lack of stability and poor game-time decisions were major factors in his dismissal.
Looking forward, the Bears are likely to prioritize an offensive-minded coach who can further develop Williams. Candidates may include rising offensive coordinators like Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions or Joe Brady from the Buffalo Bills. The decision-making process will likely involve input from team president Kevin Warren, general manager Ryan Poles, and other front-office members. The hiring of Poles was not directly tied to Eberflus’ tenure, but Poles’ future with the team remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the coaching search.
In the upcoming 2025 draft, the Bears will likely focus on improving their roster, particularly the offensive line, with potential picks such as Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at the top of their list.
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