NFL Sources Reportedly See 3 Names As Likely Matt Eberflus Replacements

Matt Eberflus isn't safe yet. At least, that is what many around the NFL believe. While Ian Rapoport indicated the odds were good that the Chicago Bears head coach would return thanks to his strong finish this season, others aren't convinced. Why? Namely, it has to do with the quarterback situation. The Bears hold the #1 overall pick in the draft again. Last year, GM Ryan Poles opted to forego selecting a QB to give Justin Fields a fair opportunity to keep developing. This time around, with what appears to be a much stronger class, he may not be able to resist making a change.

If he does, then the obvious concern gets raised. Is Eberflus equipped to develop a young quarterback? Plenty of people around the NFL are skeptical. He's a defensive-minded coach, so his expertise is lacking. His choice of Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator remains uninspiring. More than anything else, the Bears likely hope to avoid the situation that happened with Matt Nagy and John Fox. Where the coach gets a rookie QB, doesn't win immediately, and gets fired. This time, the smart thing to do is line the coach and QB up from the start. According to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, many think Poles may wish to do that.

In fact, they even see three likely options as replacements.

That’s why some in the league wonder whether Poles will be lured by the temptation to hire a new offensive-minded, quarterback-centric head coach who can help his young quarterback become a star.

Multiple sources highlighted Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik Jr. as quarterback-friendly candidates who should be on the Bears’ radar. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, meanwhile, may have an inside track on the Los Angeles Chargers job if he chooses to leave Ann Arbor.

The Bears also must be conscious of the opportunity to put a coaching staff and a new quarterback on similar timelines.

Said one former AFC offensive coordinator: “In my mind, if you’re going to choose a quarterback at No. 1, you have to blow it up. There’s no choice. Unless you really believe in Matt Eberflus to develop a quarterback. Which, given his history, I’m not sure anyone would.

“If I’m Kevin Warren, if I’m Ryan Poles, I may only have one shot like this to get it right.”

Matt Eberflus must finish strong.

All three of those names make sense. Johnson has revitalized the career of Jared Goff, helping Detroit win their first-ever NFC North title. Many see him as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. Handing him a rookie QB seems like a safe bet. Callahan has worked around the quarterback position for the past ten years. Matthew Stafford played arguably his best season in Detroit in 2017 when he was quarterbacks coach. Since then, he's helped oversee the ascent of Joe Burrow as one of the NFL's brightest stars. As for Slowik, his work in Houston has helped C.J. Stroud become a virtual lock for Rookie of the Year.

Poles will have options. That is why Matt Eberflus isn't safe yet. He must finish strong. That means beating the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He hasn't done it in his career to this point, going 0-3 since last season. Everybody wants to think he finally has this team trending in the right direction. They can hang with the more proven organizations now. Well, it's time to prove it. Another lopsided loss in Green Bay could pop the door open for a change.