The Chicago Bears are approaching another crossroads at the head coaching position. They never thought it would come again this soon. However, Matt Eberflus has made it unavoidable. He's 6-21 so far in his tenure, the worst start a head coach has had in franchise history. It could be about to get way worse with games against Detroit, Minnesota, and Cleveland up next. If it gets as bad as it might, there is no way to justify keeping Eberflus around another year.
That means the Bears must find a replacement before what will be a critical off-season. There is one problem: this organization has built a reputation over the last decade for some truly baffling hires. Rather than opt for some of the more obvious names available during a cycle, they always seem to go for somebody unexpected. Just look at the track record.
2013:
- Hottest names - Bruce Arians, Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Rob Chudzinski
- Bears choice - Marc Trestman
Arians was the reigning Coach of the Year the season before. Reid had led Philadelphia to five NFC championship games. Kelly was an offensive wizard in college and Chudzinski had overseen the successful first two years of Cam Newton. Trestman hadn't been in the league since 2004, spending all that time in Canada.
2015:
- Hottest names - Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles, Jack Del Rio, and Gary Kubiak
- Bears choice - John Fox
Quinn had coached the best defense in football for two straight years, winning a Super Bowl in 2013. Bowles turned Arizona's defense into a powerhouse in just two seasons. Del Rio was a successful head coach in Jacksonville, as was Kubiak in Houston. Fox had just been fired by Denver despite a 12-4 season.
2018:
- Hottest names: Matt Patricia, Frank Reich, Mike Vrabel, and Pat Shurmur
- Bears choice - Matt Nagy
Patricia won multiple Super Bowls as a defensive coordinator. Reich beat him in the most recent one with Philadelphia as offensive coordinator. Vrabel was highly regarded around the league. Shurmur had helped guide Minnesota to the NFC championship with a backup QB. Nagy had only been an offensive coordinator for one season in Kansas City.
2022:
- Hottest names: Doug Pederson, Brian Daboll, and Kevin O'Connell
- Bears choice - Matt Eberflus
Pederson won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. Daboll had helped turn Josh Allen into a superstar as offensive coordinator in Buffalo. O'Connell was the offensive coordinator of the defending champion Rams. Eberflus had some solid years as a defensive coordinator but had zero experience working with QBs.
There is no reason to think it will be any different in 2024. So let's go ahead and pinpoint some names that just feel like inevitable Bears options.
Here are some names that just feel like inevitable Chicago Bears targets.
Frank Smith (Dolphins offensive coordinator)
The Nagy option, or the assistant who is overshadowed by his head coach. Mike McDaniel runs that electric offense in Miami, while Smith is his right-hand man. He's spent most of his career as a tight end and offensive line coach and has never once called plays.
Bill Belichick (Patriots head coach)
The Fox option, or the head coach who is clearly past his prime. Belichick is headed for the Hall of Fame, but his magic touch has evaporated in New England. Most feel he's lost his spark and isn't likely to regain it as he pushes into his 70s. Yet one team will hire him for the name value and the "experience."
Steve Wilks (49ers defensive coordinator)
The Eberflus option, or the somewhat successful defensive coordinator taking advantage of a talented roster. Wilks inherited a perfect situation in San Francisco and is taking full advantage. Yet history shows he lacks answers when he doesn't have a star-studded roster, just like Eberflus.
Reggie Barlow (DC Defenders head coach)
The Trestman option, or the notable name from a completely different league. Barlow got his start in college at Alabama State and Virginia State. He followed this by taking over the Defenders in the XFL, leading them to a 9-1 record in his first season. Barlow played in the NFL for seven years, winning a Super Bowl in 2002. That would be such a Chicago Bears move.
