ESPN Reveals Matt Eberflus' Fate Rests On One Thing Now

The Chicago Bears have two games left. On January 8th, when the regular season ends, GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren will make some big decisions. Arguably the biggest is what they plan to do with head coach Matt Eberflus. His situation is a complicated one. He's managed to turn around the defense in recent weeks and is 6-5 in his last 11 games. At the same time, he has overseen three epic 4th quarter collapses that likely cost his team a shot at the playoffs. This is before getting into his questionable game management, conservative style, and iffy staff hires.

The fact players are still engaged and playing hard is a good thing. It means he hasn't lost the locker room. Guys respect him and what he's trying to teach. That can't be discounted. No, the primary issue may sit elsewhere. According to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Eberflus' job status remains up in the air. There is still a chance he stays, but it might not be for the reason people think. Fowler suggests it may come down to whether they decide to keep Justin Fields or start over at quarterback.

"Graziano: I put it at seven. Three are already open -- the Raiders, Panthers and Chargers -- and we expect an opening in Washington. I also think the Patriots are likely to move on from Bill Belichick, and people have had their eye on Chicago for a while, though the Bears are playing like a team that's trying to save its coach's job, so Matt Eberflus could potentially survive this.

Fowler:...And good call on Eberflus -- Chicago is 6-5 over its past 11 games and clearly playing hard for Eberflus. The questions there are more big picture, especially if the Bears opt to take a QB at No. 1 overall and want a new coach to shepherd him."

Matt Eberflus doesn't have a strong case if the Bears start over at QB.

He's a defensive guy. That much has been established. His choice for offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, has largely underwhelmed. There isn't much confidence locally or nationally that this staff is equipped to mold a young quarterback. Chicago would be facing the Matt Nagy situation from two years ago all over again if they kept Eberflus and brought in a high draft pick. What happens if he has another losing season? Do the Bears fire him and bring in somebody else, thus wasting one year of the quarterback's rookie contract for nothing?

Unlikely. This comes down to two options. Either give Fields one more year with another infusion of talent on offense or start fresh at quarterback. Matt Eberflus can stay put in the first scenario, running the defense while Getsy or perhaps a new offensive coordinator tries to finally get Fields over the hump. In the other scenario, the Bears must find the most accomplished mind they can who will have a good plan for turning Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels into the stars they can be.