Matt Eberflus seems like a coach that operates with a worker mentality. Somebody that seeks weakness in himself and then grind relentlessly to fix it. That is how he got to where he is now—head coach of the Chicago Bears. Don’t get it twisted, though. Eberflus knows he doesn’t have all the answers. This is uncharted territory in many ways for him. Up until now, he has conducted his business on one side of the football. Now he finds himself of an entire operation. That includes the all-important quarterback position.
History shows that the most successful teams in this league often feature strong relationships between the head coach and his QB. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Eberflus admitted that he understood this during his media session at the scouting combine. That is why he reached out to some of his mentors for advice on how best to connect with Justin Fields.
The lessons he came away with were thought-provoking.
“I don’t think there’s any one particular thing you want to say or do,” he said. “I just think be yourself and be genuine. I think building a relationship is always that. When you go look someone in the eyes and tell them the truth, then they can be on the same page. And be vulnerable sometimes. Say, ‘I made a mistake. I didn’t do that right.’ Say that to them. I think that’s how you build trust and how you build a relationship.”
It is rare for a coach to admit that showing vulnerability is a good thing. In the ultimate tough-guy sport of football, that can often be interpreted as weakness. However, what Eberflus says is true. It will be far easier to get the quarterback to trust him by being honest with Fields and admitting when he makes mistakes. Something that never seemed to happen last year between the QB and Matt Nagy.
Initial reports are that Fields is a big fan of his new head coach. They’ve gotten off on the right foot. The QB likes the plan Eberflus has for both the offense and the team. One that is meant to utilize Fields’ strengths as a player better. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has said multiple times already this will be the priority. If Eberflus can win over his quarterback, the rest of the locker room should follow.
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Matt Eberflus will still hold Fields to a high standard
Getting the quarterback to trust him is crucial. At the same time, it is his job as the head coach to get the best out of every player. There will be no preferential treatment where Fields is concerned. Eberflus will demand the same maximum effort from him as he will everybody else. Not that the quarterback will mind such a thing. Hard work is something he has embraced since he was in high school.
If anything, he’d probably welcome a coach that is willing to grind him.
The hard part is finding more players to help. Right now the Bears are devoid of elite talent on offense. Their wide receivers are razor-thin outside of Darnell Mooney. The offensive line has three free agents with few definitive starters. Even tight end is a concern again with Jimmy Graham likely gone. Matt Eberflus believes he can make Fields a better quarterback. However, he can’t do it unless GM Ryan Poles adds more pieces around him.
