Matt Eberflus took over the Chicago Bears job with what he felt was a good plan. He'd coach players to a high standard, enforcing his desire for hustle, intensity, turnovers, and smarts. Once everybody was bought in, this team would start winning some football games. After a promising 3-4 start to his tenure, things have collapsed into one gigantic sinkhole. Eberflus has lost his last 14 consecutive games. The latest was arguably the most brutal, coughing up a 21-point lead in the 4th quarter to lose at home against the Denver Broncos.
Everything has gone wrong for the head coach. His team hasn't won a game in almost a full year. His vaunted defense is a disaster. Players are speaking out about the coaching being an issue. Eberflus' handling of the media has also demonstrated his lack of command. It's all bad. Many are surprised he hasn't been fired already. Some continue defending him, stating the roster still isn't good enough. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune provided a telling update. Based on what he's seen and heard, it sounds like Eberflus is done unless he magically turns things around.
That seems unlikely.
"Here’s why I believe Eberflus is in serious jeopardy: The Bears seem highly unlikely to want to pursue a quarterback in the 2024 draft and then pair USC’s Caleb Williams (or whoever) with this coaching staff. I also find it difficult to believe they would want Eberflus in a must-show-big-improvement situation in 2024. If he doesn’t, then you’re looking at a coaching change and a new staff and a new system for a second-year quarterback in 2025. That would be suboptimal. It just doesn’t make sense.
While I doubt the Bears have had any discussions regarding this because 13 games remain in the season, it would require a massive turnaround — the kind of thing even the most ardent fans can’t believe in — to change the trajectory of the franchise."
Matt Eberflus needs a miracle at this point.
His team just lost a heartbreaker. Now, they have to travel to Washington on a short week. Everybody remembers what the Commanders' defensive line did to the Bears last season. Now they'll be at home. It is hard to imagine Chicago can muster the will to pull off an upset after what they've been through. That means the season will reach 0-5. From there, it's two home games against Minnesota and Las Vegas. Then, the real problems begin with four road games in five weeks. Three of them will be against the Chargers, Saints, and Lions.
There is a strong possibility the Bears can be 0-12 or 1-11 before their bye week in early December. Remember that Matt Eberflus needs five victories to tie Abe Gibron for the fewest through two seasons in franchise history. That is how bad it's been. There is no justification for keeping him around beyond 2023. In fact, there is a stronger argument for firing him before the season ends. However, the team doesn't have any credible interim replacement options. Alan Williams stepped away from the team, and Luke Getsy already has his hands full as offensive coordinator.
Besides, if the focus is shifting to the 2024 draft at this stage, keeping Eberflus in charge seems to serve that purpose well enough.
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