NFL
Chicago Bears make historic decision and fire Matt Eberflus
No head coach in Chicago Bears history has ever been fired mid-season. Until now.
The loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day seemed to have been the final straw for the Chicago Bears’ management team as they confirmed that coach Matt Eberflus has had his contract with the team terminated.
On Thursday, Chicago lost 23-20 at Detroit, rallying from a dormant first half and had the ball in field-goal range when quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked. In a sequence that began with 32 seconds on the game clock, the Bears had options. They could have spiked the ball to stop the clock, attempting what would have been around a 60-yard field goal, or going for a first down with plenty of time to “clock” the ball.
Media members repeatedly have questioned Eberflus in press conference settings about taking personal accountability.
Eberflus’ record with Chicago
During three seasons in charge of the team, Eberflus coached in 46 games and won only 14, of which seven were in 2023.
Today’s news is a historic one as in the more than 100 years of the Chicago franchise they had never made a coaching change in the middle of the season.
Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach. The offensive coordinator has four years of experience in the NFL and nine at the college level. In 2023 he was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers and spent the previous three years as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams.
In a brief statement, the Bears thanked Eberflus for his work.
“This morning, after meeting with [chairman] George [H. McCaskey] and [President and CEO] Kevin [Warren], we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head-coaching position,” said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. “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.”
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