Matt Eberflus wanted the
Chicago Bears job because of its prestige but also because of its challenge. The 51-year-old coach knew he inherited an older team that had just gone 6-11 last year. Already GM Ryan Poles is turning over the roster, unloading former big names, and adding a series of cheap free agents to start what many feel is a rebuild. That is why expectations are low for the team this coming season.
Eberflus isn't making any bold proclamations. He understands it takes building a proper foundation to become a true contender. The right talent must be acquired, that talent must be put in good systems under capable coaches, and then everybody must learn to work together, pulling in the same direction. That can take time. However, the Bears head coach is also a competitor. He wants to win as much as everybody else. That is why he believes under the right conditions; this team can see a quick
turnaround in 2022.
He explained his thinking to Cris Collinsworth on his podcast.
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It would hardly be the first time a Bears team went from afterthought to success story in team history. They were 5-11 in 2000 before going 13-3 the next year. Then a few years later, they did it again, going 5-11 in 2004 to 11-5 in 2005. Eberflus doesn't face an impossible task. He's helped engineer quick turnarounds before. His defense played a big part in the Indianapolis Colts going 10-6 in 2018 after going 4-12 the year prior.
If some things fall into place faster than expected, he knows that this team has enough talent to reach the postseason. Part of it is confidence in some of the talented players already in place, part is some they'll acquire in the coming weeks, and another part is his utmost confidence in the coaching staff. Say this for Eberflus. The man doesn't lack conviction on the direction in which he will point this team.
Matt Eberflus turnaround hopes hinge on Justin Fields.
Everybody knows that quarterbacks make life easier for head coaches. The Bears are hoping their investment in Fields last year will start to show progress in 2022. He's healthy and has experience. The final hurdle is getting him into a competent offensive system and surrounding him with more talent. Poles and Eberflus believe they've started that process. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy brings in a proven system that found lots of success in Green Bay. He plans to construct the scheme around what Fields does best.
Lucas Patrick signed to become their new center while Byron Pringle arrived to bolster the receiving corps. More help should arrive via the upcoming draft as well. If everything comes together smoothly and Fields reduces his mistakes from last year, the offense should step up. Together with a Matt Eberflus defense built around speed and takeaways, that could lead to some unlikely victories.
Especially against a schedule considered to be one of the easiest in the NFL.
Keeping expectations low is commonplace for Bears fans these days. They're used to getting burned. Eberflus won't be one to use past failures as an excuse to lower his standards. He'll expect his football team to compete in every ballgame. If enough players buy in, the winning may come faster than some think.
