Ian Rapoport strongly indicated that Matt Eberflus was in position to return as head coach of the Chicago Bears next season. After a brutal 21-game stretch between the start of 2023 and September of 2023, he seems to have turned the team around. They’ve gone 7-5 in their last 12 games and are playing excellent defense. It hasn’t all been perfect. The Bears have had some ugly 4th quarter collapses this season, costing them a shot at the playoffs. Still, one would think the improvement is enough to justify more time.
Longtime NFL insider Jason La Canfora isn’t so sure of that. He wrote about the coaching situation around the league for the Washington Post, reaching out to various high-ranking personnel. Based on what he’s hearing, Eberflus isn’t nearly as safe as some think, despite the big win over Atlanta. It stems from two reasons. One is that team president Kevin Warren prefers to bring in somebody of his choosing. The other is the belief that Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy aren’t equipped to develop a young quarterback, furthering the widespread expectation around the league that Chicago plans to draft somebody.
It is an interesting update.
Matt Eberflus has rebounded nicely in the second half of this season and finally has a real defense. But that’s not all that’s being evaluated. Is his staff the right one to break in a new quarterback, with the Bears holding the first overall pick? That’s the question. “I think [team president] Kevin Warren brings in his own guy,” the first GM said. “Are you handing Caleb Williams to Eberflus and [offensive coordinator Luke] Getsy? After how it went with [former first-round pick Justin] Fields?” The second GM said: “They’re taking a QB and starting over with him. They’re going to have two top-10 picks. That’s a very attractive job. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kevin looked around.” Former head coaches like Harbaugh and Leslie Frazier have strong Bears ties.
Such a decision on Matt Eberflus would take guts.
Firing a head coach despite clear signs of progress from the team is always a big risk. Everybody remembers what happened to the Las Vegas Raiders. Interim coach Rich Bisacchia led them to a 7-5 record down the stretch to make the playoffs. Rather than stick with him, owner Mark Davis chose to go after Josh McDaniels instead, who proceeded to go 9-20 before getting fired earlier this season. The grass is not always greener on the other side. There is no guarantee the Bears will be able to find somebody better, especially given their track record.
The quarterback statement makes more sense. Matt Eberflus is a defensive guy. He has zero background coaching that position. Getsy hasn’t shown much as an offensive coordinator, at least regarding the passing game. He lacks creativity, situational awareness, and falls way too in love with calling the same play multiple times on the same drive, even if it isn’t working. There is no indication he will suddenly become far more adept with a rookie, and the Bears can’t assume Eberflus can find a better replacement.
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This will be a fascinating week, especially if the Bears lose again to Green Bay.
