The Chicago Bears have made history by firing Matt Eberflus, marking the first time in the franchise’s 100-plus years that an in-season head coaching change has occurred. The news broke just hours after Eberflus spoke to the media during a typical 9 AM Zoom call following a road game. Fans and media alike have largely praised the Bears for taking this crucial step.
The Bears really made Matt Eberflus do a 9 AM Zoom conference and then fired him.
Honestly hilarious but total Bears.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) November 29, 2024
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, who did not hire Eberflus (as he was hired before Poles took the GM position), issued a statement regarding the decision to part ways with the head coach. Here’s what he had to say about the move.
“This morning, after meeting with George and Kevin, we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head coaching position. I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism and dedication to our organization. We extend our gratitude for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
As expected, Ryan Poles delivered a classy statement. President Kevin Warren also released a statement regarding the surprising firing of Matt Eberflus.
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“I support Ryan and the decision that was made this morning. We understand how imperative the head coaching role is for building and maintaining a championship-caliber team, leading our players and our organization. Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge, and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future.”
In the end, this firing is a positive step, but it might have come too late. With the season nearly over, a miraculous turnaround seems unlikely. The Bears missed the opportunity to pair Caleb Williams with a new head coach at the start of his rookie season as well. But the key focus now is determining who will lead the next chapter of Bears’ history. It’s crucial to get the next head coach right, and that process begins with evaluating interim head coach Thomas Brown during the final five games of the season. Here are some names to watch as the head coaching search begins:
- Ben Johnson
- Liam Coen
- Joe Brady
- Mike Vrabel
- Kellen Moore
- Aaron Glenn
- Kyle Shanahan (if San Francisco fires him or he chooses to leave)
Regardless of who the Bears pursue, this offseason promises to be pivotal. All eyes will be on GM Ryan Poles as he navigates his first head coaching search.
Poles plans ahead, Pooch. I think he’s known exactly who he wants as his next HC for over a year. He’s going to be thorough in the search, and if someone blows him away, he will be open to it.
There are going to be many names and stories as candidates, but I do think it is going to be Chip Kelly. It’s a watered down year for college football, just as the NFL was watered down both seasons GB won their last 2 SBs.
@jmscooby
Nice imagination. I believe you meant THE Chip Kelly, from THE Ohio State, that lost the easiest picking on the Team Up North in years, and couldn’t put more than 10 on the board?
THAT Chip Kelly?
On this list, only Vrabel is both available and has been a head coach before (failed). Shanahan hasn’t won the “big” one, but he’s constantly got them in the hunt and to the big dance. He’s not available unless they want to trade three first round picks for him. Brown is the ONLY one who has been Assistant Head Coach (under Sean McVay) and actually has won a Super Bowl. (And McVay swears by him). Let that sink in. Including Waldron, no one else was actually in that close proximity to head coaching position except three guys who are already… Read more »
I don’t care about any eval on Poles at the moment. I’m am living in the moment: they got it right in firing Eberflus & naming Brown interim HC. I am ecstatic at the moment.
That said, will Bears brass get it right and by next season, remove the interim tag. To be sure, Brown has to carry all of his strengths forward to the next level, his second in about a month. But nothing in what he has shown so far would lead me to believe that he couldn’t continue what he has shown so far.
I’d be willing to put it out there, Chip Kelly is going to be our next HC. Maybe he brings Dan Mullen along to be the OC, I’m not sure of, but I am more than qualified to be an “insider”.