TJ Edwards' Recent Comments On Fields And Eberflus Were Telling

The Chicago Bears started the season 2-7, looking like one of the NFL's worst. However, they seem to have found a groove since then, climbing to 5-8 and in the tail end of the playoff hunt. Three of their four remaining games feature opponents with losing records, and the lone exception (Cleveland) is horribly banged up. A big opportunity is in front of them. Still, that hasn't stopped conversations from continuing on the potential futures of quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus. Rumors have persisted that neither is a lock to return in 2024. Chicago may hold the #1 pick, giving them their choice of any QB in the draft. Meanwhile, Eberflus' tenure hasn't exactly been stellar. This is where recent comments by linebacker TJ Edwards become fascinating.

He appeared on his podcast with Andrew Spencer on YouTube to discuss the team's big win last Sunday against Detroit. Inevitably, the topic of Fields and Eberflus and their influence in the locker room came up. All one has to do is listen to how he talks about him. While Edwards clearly respects and admires Fields, his words on Eberflus, while complimentary, came off rather lukewarm.

TJ Edwards may have provided a window in the locker room.

It's obvious Bears players love Fields. They gush about him often. His steadiness and leadership are hard to deny, not to mention his ability to change games as an athlete. D.J. Moore and Lucas Patrick are among several others who say the same. Eberflus is a different story. While nobody has come out and said anything bad about the Bears head coach, they also haven't leaped to his defense at the first opportunity. They respect his ability as a defensive playcaller, but not much has been said about his other responsibilities as a head coach.

Maybe that is reading too much into the situation. Still, it feels noteworthy that the only words TJ Edwards could muster about his head coach is that he's consistent. Remember, he played for Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia. Pederson won a Super Bowl in 2017. Sirianni went to one last year. His standards for a head coach are high. Perhaps that mild feeling on Eberflus is shared by others in the locker room. If so, it might become a factor in whether the Bears make a change after the season.