Matt Eberflus Appears To Have A New Pitch To Save His Job

The Chicago Bears sit at 4-8. While they have managed to steady themselves somewhat after a brutal 0-4 start, nobody with common sense would say this team is playing "good" football. They barely beat the one-win Carolina Panthers 16-13. Last week, they needed a late field goal to escape Minnesota with a 12-10 win despite four takeaways and the Vikings playing without Kirk Cousins or Justin Jefferson. It doesn't pass the eye test, and that is why Matt Eberflus remains firmly on the hot seat. Rumors persist a change is likely coming after the season ends.

Most people want to assume the embattled head coach can't save himself. However, this would be naive. Eberflus has one thing going for him. He's turned around the Bears defense. Since taking over play calling in mid-September, the unit has gradually transformed into a top-10 group. They are 9th overall in total yards and #1 against the run. They've forced seven takeaways in their last two games.

It is the offense that has been the problem.

Under Luke Getsy, the Bears have managed to score more than 20 points only four times in the past 11 games. They're tied for second in most offensive penalties with 44 and are fourth in giveaways with 21. It is an inconsistent, mistake-prone operation. Eberflus can make the pitch that he isn't the problem. He's got the defense figured out. All he needs is to upgrade at offensive coordinator and success should follow. Courtney Cronin alluded to this possibility on ESPN 1000, with one name already being mentioned.

Matt Eberflus has some history to lean on, too.

He and Frank Reich were paired together for five seasons from 2018 through 2022. During that time, they formed a productive combination. Reich controlled the offense as head coach and Eberflus ran the defense. The Colts finished with a winning record three times and made the playoffs twice. The offense finished in the top 10 in scoring three times. This doesn't include Reich's stint as an offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when he helped them win the Super Bowl in 2017.

Most people will look to the disaster in Carolina as evidence Reich can't call plays. The truth was nothing he did mattered. The Panthers offense was devoid of any respectable talent—couple that with a rookie quarterback, and you're doomed. Chicago has legitimate pieces. They also have the means to secure a quarterback Reich could get behind in the coming draft, be it Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Don't be shocked if this is the pitch Matt Eberflus puts together to save his job come January.