Hours after the first head coaching hire was made, the second has been soon to follow. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports (via Twitter) that the Bears are hiring Matt Eberflus as their new head coach. 
[Related: Bears To Hire Ryan Poles As GM]
Eberflus was one of three finalists for the job, along with Jim Caldwell and Dan Quinn. He conducted a second interview with the team on Wednesday, and the front office – which now includes, of course, former Chiefs exec Ryan Poles – clearly liked what they heard.
The 51-year-old has long been regarded as one of the league’s top defensive minds, something that has been confirmed with Chicago giving him his first HC opportunity. He was a candidate for the Jets’ and Chargers’ vacancies last year, but came up short. He also interviewed twice with the Jaguars for their current opening. Schefter tweets that Eberflus going to Chicago furthers Byron Leftwich‘s status as the “clubhouse leader” for Jacksonville’s next HC.
Just like the other hire of the morning, this represents a reversal of positional background for the affected team. After the Broncos replaced Vic Fangio with an up-and-coming offensive mind in Nathaniel Hackett, Eberflus will bring a celebrated defensive background to the Bears after they dismissed Matt Nagy.
Here’s the final rundown of the Bears’ HC search:
- Dennis Allen, defensive coordinator (Saints): Interview canceled
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/22
- Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Conducted second interview 1/25
- Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/16
- Matt Eberflus, defensive coordinator (Colts): Hired
- Brian Flores, former head coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/14
- Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Nathaniel Hackett, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/15
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interview requested
- Doug Pederson, former head coach (Eagles): Interviewed 1/12
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): To conduct second interview 1/26
With the updates coming fast and furious now, be sure to check in on our Head Coach Tracker regularly.
A DC focused HC for an aging Defense and a young and inept Offense….very Bearslike move
It could work if they bring in a good OC. Someone like Eberflus would be less inclined to meddle or want to call plays, which Nagy did.
That is such a swallow view without seeing how he fills his staff. From all reports he is a solid leader, and one of the best defensive minds out there. Let’s see who his OC and QB coach is first.
Never understand this perspective.
Everyone wanted Brian Daboll, forgetting that McDermott is a defensive coach.
If he finds good offensive staff, it doesn’t matter.
And after Nagy, this idea should be especially rejected. He was an offensive coach who ended up running an offensive offense.
Agreed. Poles and Ebeflus are fully aware of what a mess the offense has been and will do everything they can to right the ship. Let’s give em a dang minute.
Fire Ryan and Matt. Hire Ryan and Matt v2
What about Matt Ryan?
Imagine him coming in as their QB. Matts and Ryans all over the place.
I think this is a solid move, especially if they can get Caldwell on staff.
They need a leader of men, and Eberflus reminds me a lot of Lovie Smith. He will tolerate no nonsense, but do so in a manner that garners respect.
They have to find a good offensive coach though, with us why I like a Caldwell pairing
He’s a really good coach. Bears did well
Look at the Colts defense (injured or not) and say that with a straight face. That defense let teams back in games constantly (Offense/Reich has a lot to blame there too but Defense messed up a LOT). No pressure on QBs, couldn’t get off the field.
Colts don’t have Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack. Gipson also had solid year rushing passer.
Wouldn’t be shocked if he keeps Desai, either. Just because he has a philosophy doesn’t mean he’s going to entirely switch defense. He coached under Rex Ryan and Eric Managini, so he knows 3-4.
I hope he starts fresh. Desai may be great some day but he wasn’t this past season. Yes, they had injuries- every team does- but that secondary was the most lost group I’ve ever seen.
How do you know? Has he ever been HC? All coaching crap are great until they prove that wrong
I like this hire more than the GM choice but just about anyone would have been an upgrade over Pace and Nagy.
Key line in the Poles story is ” He will be on a learning curve because he’s never handled player contracts” Translation- He was the cheapest option and Sweatty Teddy keeps handling the money. Because, who wouldn’t want a GM who has no idea how to negotiate a contract. Like having a fire truck without hoses.
Fire engines carry hose. Fire trucks carry tools. Unless you’re talking about a Quint. Then yes, in that case, a fire truck would have hose on it. Unless you’re talking about a supply line for the aerial pipe.
WTF? Do the people charged with keeping your straight jacket on know you can get out of it? Sorry, That was rhetorical.
Teddy doesn’t handle contracts. Stein does. I would rather have a better talent evaluator, recruiter, and visionary than a numbers guy any day. The numbers guy should be the check and balance for a GM continually trying to better his roster. Btw, the cheapest option and cheap franchise narrative is so old and easy to fall back on. The Bears spend to the cap. They built a first-rate practice facility. They are in the process of building a stadium. Throwing money at GMs/coaches isn’t always the answer either. See the Jaguars, Carolina, or many more examples in recent memory. They interviewed many candidates; some would have been more expensive due to their experience level. I like the swing at a young up and coming respected talent evaluator that was in demand, versus a retread who hasn’t won anything or a guy that is just due an opportunity because of his amount of time spent on a front office staff.
Been listening to the stadium crap since 1970. They aren’t going to spend their money to build a stadium in Arlington Hts. or anywhere. They spend to the cap? What does that mean? They spend a lot of money on players who lose. Congratulations. And Teddy oversees all the money, Don’t try and BS me that he doesn’t. He has final say on everything. They’ve conned us for over 40 years. I’m 65 and really don’t have time for a GM on a ” LEARNING CURVE” again. You wait for them Classic, But I guarantee you’ll be disappointed.
They didn’t enter into a purchase agreement to buy Arlington to build a swimming pool or a clown school. Unfortunately, Teddy did lock them in to Soldier until 2033 though he did build in some outs. It was probably a great business move to lock down that land prior to a sale or directly after getting it built which I think probably happens either way once Virginia isn’t around. Regardless of correctly or not, spending to the cap refutes your opinion of them being cheap. They could save way more money always shorting the cap than they would paying for an experienced GM. 31 teams spend money on players that lose every year. I agree that Teddy controls the money but unless he is not spending it that is not being cheap. A horrible judge of bringing in competent football operations people, absolutely. They are not a cheap organization is my point. Are they run well? Hell, no. Nobody can argue that. The cheap talk is just a lazy fan narrative.
Uncle Mike, my sentiments exactly.
The fans are disgusted with the amateur-ish hirings that the franchise has done in the past. So what does Ol’ Georgie do? Hire a guy that will be on a learning curve? Come on! The franchise has been on a learning curve for the past 7 years! It’s time to make smart and long lasting moves, not “learning curve” moves that can set the franchise back again.
I believe we are all on a “learning curve” until we die. I’m more worried about those people who always consider themselves the smartest person in the room and don’t believe there is anything new they should learn.
And those would have been??? Pace was a second in command to Loomis with a fairly successful winning organization. Was he any good? Debatable, some good probably more bad. Fox was not an amateur. Was he any good? Debatable as well. Let’s not forget that Nagy was the Coach of the Year 4 years ago. I remember most fans thinking that was a pretty good hire at that point and didn’t care that it was his first year as a HC. I don’t see anyone arguing about the fact that most of the new young gun successful coaches in the NFL could have been considered an amateur choice when hired. They were young respected up and coming football coaches who lacked experience. All I am saying is to be a better fan and don’t just fall back on the old narratives your dad and grandpa told you for years.
I disagree, if you had a solid GM and he retires/leaves and then you hire a you guy on the rise,t I got no problem with that. And if there is a learning curve, I also have no problem with that. Why, because the previous GM left the franchise in good shape and mistakes will not be the end of the world.
But if you hire a guy on a learning curve after you had 2 previous GM’s that did not make the franchise better, then there are going to major problems.
Yes, I agree , life is a learning curve, but I think the fans deserve a GM that knows all phases of his job.
As for Nagy, I thought he was fantastic! But in 2019, after seeing games where the team was not prepared as well as some of the most atrocious game plans I have ever seen, he fired most of his coaching staff. After that, I knew Nagy had no clue. You cannot blame everything else for your shortcomings. He is an amateur.
As for Fox, I had health no problem with him and would have loved to see him coach in 2018.
From the reviews on him he seemed to be one of the best at engaging players. Wonder if Caldwell would consider being the OC? Hope they move on from Desai as DC and just bring in fresh staff.
I’m fine with this. This is an OK move for them. I believe they should have gotten someone like Bienemy for the job but whatever. Bienemy deserves a better job than this mess anyway. I do believe Eberflus does give them potential as a head coach, but also could just dig himself deeper into the mess that Pace and Nagy made.
But as a Packers fan, I can say, “Yes! They didn’t get Bienemy!”
Not sure how the outlook would be if you fired a coach you got from the Chiefs and then hired another coach from the Chiefs. I still think Reid runs that show.
Why would the Bears hire another KC OC that doesn’t even call offensive plays? Been there some that. Didn’t work out
Is Eberflus gonna call plays? I don’t think so.
Almost half the teams in the league have interviewed Bienemy, and decided he isn’t HC material. Reid is the OC. That’s a fact. At some point Bienemy needs to step out of his shadow and go find a real OC job with a franchise who will let him actually perform the duties of the title. Otherwise, there’s just no reason to think he’ll ever get promoted.
His sexual assault stuff at Colorado mixed with never calling plays is likely hurting him, and he must be an awful interview, which I have heard rumors of.
Let’s face it…we all could be Patrick Mahomes OC and win. There’s a long list of failed HC’s who were coordinators on teams that had/have great QBs. Hopefully Eberflus will surround himself with seasoned OC/DC combos.
good luck Coach E. You’ll need it. Just remember, whatever Georgie says to you, do the opposite. And keep in mind the McCaskey family know nothing about football.
especially about fans
Bears got another 6-11 season coming down the pipeline
Have fun
-Colts fans
I feel sorry for their young QB. Who could have REALLY used an offensive mind to build a system that actually fits his unique play style. It’s important your HC brings that system as coordinators often leave after little success, taking the systems with them. Bears still operating as if it’s the 70’s.
Ever heard of Sean McDermott? Guess Josh Allen was ruined by a Defensive HC. As for coordinators leaving after success well that’s part of the business. If Eberflus is the right hire I hope in a few years teams are after our coordinators because then we’re doing something right… winning.
Can’t go wrong hiring from the Gary Pinkel coaching tree. Now he just needs to hire Dave Christensen, David Yost, or Brad Smith to be his offensive coordinator to take things to the next level!
This should give Chase Daniel the inside track to a return and the starting qb job!