Three games remain in the 2023 season for the Chicago Bears. GM Ryan Poles had hoped he’d get a clear idea of what direction to go with the franchise. Instead, he’s been met with one of the most divisive situations in recent memory. A large portion of fans want the team to keep quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus, using the large inventory of draft capital next spring to fill out the roster. Others have seen enough of both in the past two years and think it’s time for a change.
Both sides have fair arguments. Eberflus has significantly improved the Bears’ defense over the past two months since taking over play calling. They look like one of the NFL’s best. Fields has also shown signs of steady improvement in efficiency and overall command. Conversely, Eberflus only has eight wins in his first 31 games. His defense has coughed up three double-digit leads in the 4th quarter since the end of September. Fields hasn’t really been an overly effective passer since his big performance in Washington. He still takes too many sacks and fumbles too much.
What people don’t know is Poles’ opinion. He’s been supportive in public, but privately, it’s a mystery. Some think the Bears will choose to run it back. NFL insider Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports isn’t so sure. He told Michael Smith on My Main Man why he thinks the odds are good Eberflus is out.
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Matt Eberflus is tied at the hip to Justin Fields.
That may sound unfair since he had no say in drafting the QB, but that is the situation he walked into. The Bears have to look at the big picture. Eberflus was the one who chose Luke Getsy as the offensive coordinator. That decision doesn’t reflect well on him right now. This organization already drafted one quarterback into a situation where the head coach was on the hot seat with Fields and Matt Nagy. They’d only be repeating the same mistake if Poles decides to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. The sensible thing to do is start fresh at head coach, preferably with somebody who can finally develop that position.
This explains why Robinson believes Matt Eberflus is out. Like several others with strong sources, he has indicated the Bears are leaning towards a quarterback change, especially if they land the #1 pick. When 11 NFL general managers tell you the likely outcome is drafting somebody, it clearly indicates what is coming. Maybe Poles surprises everybody, but he’s seen enough of Fields. If he is going to enter a pivotal third season, he likely wants to do it with a quarterback he chose.
