In charge of one of the league’s two 0-4 teams, Matt Eberflus is aware his days with the Bears may be numbered. When speaking publicly about his standing in the organization, though, he confirmed his focus remains squarely on the immediate future. 
“I’ve been doing this 32 years, so I understand the business,” Eberflus said, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “But I understand that to do it right you got to focus on your job, and you got to focus on right here, right now… You can focus on your job and where your feet are right now. Our sole focus is on Washington.”
Tomorrow’s contest against the Commanders threatens to extend Chicago’s losing streak (which is already the longest in franchise history) to 15 games. A loss would drop Eberflus’ record with the Bears to 3-19, and no doubt lead to a fresh round of calls for changes to be made on the sidelines. A report emerged last week indicating the dismissal of Eberflus and/or general manager Ryan Poles would not come as a surprise to many around the league.
Having received his first head coaching gig in large part on the strength of his success as a defensive coordinator, Eberflus has seen the Bears allow at least 25 points in each game during the losing skid. For the most recent portion of that stretch, the 53-year-old has handled defensive play-calling duties following the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams. The lack of an experienced successor in the organization – OC Luke Getsy is in only his second season as a coordinator – could help Eberflus retain his position through the remainder of the season, Finley notes.
In the end, the views of the McCaskey family (which has never authorized a midseason coaching change) and new president Kevin Warren will determine Eberflus’ fate. Warren has the authority to pull the plug on the current coaching and management regime, though doing so in his first year on the job and with Poles in particular early in a rebuilding effort would come as something of a surprise. For now, at least, Eberflus is confident he does not need to worry about receiving his walking papers.
“I haven’t talked to anybody about any of those things,” he said when asked if he has had discussions with ownership about his job security potentially being in danger. “I feel the support and we’re just focused on Washington.”
OK the situation is a cluster you know what but would having any other GM and HC in place have resulted in the Bears starting 4-0? Not bloody likely. If these guys screw up when they actually have some talent to compete with then that’s reason to replace them but right now they have little more than a hope and prayer to work with.
Clay pool from Steelers trade
I admire people that stand by their teams, but after Dan S. destroyed the Skins around 5-7 years, around that time frame, I quit following them. I really did. I enjoy great football, not continual losing. I won’t go to a Jags game–even with free tickets (I live an hour south of Jax)– until they have 2 consecutive winning seasons. They aren’t getting my money or wasting my time. Steelers fans get mad about Mike T, but he won for 15 years straight. I’d take that in a heart beat.
Football will always be won by the lines. A competent QB, & solid running game on O. On D, pressure on the QB w/ a ball hawk in the secondary. It’s not rocket science. Seattle is proving that these past 2 years. On the flip side, the Giants & Jets can’t block anyone.
Sure, it’s great when you have a HoF QB that can elevate a team, but they are far and few between (Ask me my opinion about Bill B for proof of that). Build a solid roster and you’ll always be above .500. NE can’t block either.
Not for nothin Arty, but you having an opinion about Bill B is probably the worst kept secret on this forum…lol.
Here is the problem with the Bears at the moment-there is no one to take over as coach after Eberflus is fired. As the article states, Getsy is far too inexperienced (and according to many, he is part of the problem). In-season changes are almost impossible to manage at any level in football, so adding someone with experience midyear specifically to take over as coach would be too difficult as well. That person would have to learn the team and it’s strengths and weaknesses too quickly while also preparing for games.
Williams leaving suddenly also complicated things (especially for Eberflus, who does deserve a bit of consideration for having to suddenly take over pkaycalling), but the Bears were underperforming anyway. If Williams had stayed, he likely could have been an interim coaching candidate, but I find it unlikely that it would have improved anything. Getsy looks out of depth, but it’s hard to tell whether he’s being held back by the offense or if he is holding them back. Likely both, mixed with uninspiring coaching from above. Thing is, even though the coaching doesn’t seem impressive, the roster is all around bad, too. It’s hard to say that most coaches would have done well with it. It seemed that by committing to Fields for another year, Chicago signaled that this year was not about stepping forward, but just evaluating what could happen.
They need to figure out whether they will give Poles a chance to use the picks that he acquired, or give a new GM a chance to do so. If they do decide on a new GM, then there may be an argument for firing both Eberflus and Poles before the end of the year. The current players would suffer, and this year would be even more miserable and the culture would get even worse, but it would give the new GM a chance to see the deficiencies better and have a clearer and more specific vision going into the offseason. If they decide to keep Poles, then they should fire Eberflus at the end of the year and not midseason. If there were a stronger interim candidate, it could change things, but the Bears are not contending this year anyway. That’s just me thinking out loud; we all know that the situation could change dramatically in the next few weeks. It’s still early in a long year.
What future?
You saddle a head coach with a sub par QB and expect him to win the division? Not likely. The Bears always end up with the wrong guy behind center. Why not sign somebody like Minshew who can get the job done, even if they’re not Mahomes or Burrow? Fields looks lost and unsure of himself and playing in Chicago doesn’t help because he’s got to hear all the people doubting him and calling sports shows to crab. Tell the kid to go out there and let it fly. Let him call his own plays as he sees fit. What have you got to lose.
To me what is more egregious is not sticking to a plan. With the draft trade it was clear they wanted this year to give Fields a chance with the understanding if it doesn’t work they are in good position to draft a QB next year. Them now acting like it’s a surprise and failure Fields didn’t work out and wanting to reset the front office potentially is dumb.
What I would really like to know, Deep down in my soul, Is why this team can’t find a scout who can identify a 1st , 2nd , or 3rd round pick that can make an impact? Because
either one of 2 statements is true. Either Poles and the scouts blew 4 picks, Or Eberflus has no game plan or coaches who can use that talent to the best of their abilities. It’s going on how many years now since Urlacher? He was the last 1st round pick that I can remember who made an impact. I mean there were the Pace years where he traded most of them away or completely missed, White, Floyd, McClellin which ended up being worse. Why can’t anybody identify a player to draft who could help the team at all? Who spends a high first round pick on a RT? Bears. Who spends a 2nd and 3rd round on DT’s who supposedly can’t get off the snap? Bears. Who misses on trading up and passes up the best C in the draft for a CB who can’t cover or catch? Bears. Who lies with just about every word coming out of his mouth be it about players, Coaches or injuries? Eberflus. I’ve had enough, Why haven’t the McCaskeys?
Well, it looks like the old Unclemike is back and there won’t be any more kisses and high approval ratings that we saw in the early off season…lol.
Tried to be positive. They make it hard Lemon.
I’ll be in front of my TV tonight. Watching the Blackhawks.My sister has the correct word to describe the Bears. Unwatchable.
The problem is Flus is a defensive guy and the defense isn’t improving even after bringing in more talent. That’s what should doom his tenure.
The interesting thing is that Warren wasn’t here when Poles OR Eberflus was hired so what does HE think of this crap shoot? I’d love to know what he really thinks , Not the crap they spew on just about a daily basis.
They have no pass rush still, and half of their secondary is out.
Ryan Poles mistake was not trading fields and drafting a QB. Sure fields looked ok last year but Poles should
Of realized his qb timeline. Fields was going to want to get paid next year if he had performed well this year. Should of drafted a QB get that cheap qb load up everywhere else.
They now are probably going to have two top 5 picks next year and it’s a great blank slate for a new gm and coach.
Ridiculous. QB timeline? What team would draft an unknown QB, versus paying a young QB that is playing well already for them?
We see coordinators fail as HCs all the time. Eberflus is one of them. He lost that locker room when the players start talking to the media. Bears need Jim Harbaugh back, an experienced successful HC, enough of these mid level coordinators.
The Bears don’t like to pay. They brought in one star, Moore. Who else is a starter on anybody else’s team. They have very few higher quality players.
Fire him. Who cares who replaces him, its a race to the bottom at this point to get that 1st overall and hopefully second overall draft pick…Then they can jettison rest of the brain trust. I’m so depressed I’m almost ready to want to see Lovie Smith come back, at least his players respected him.
Why would you fire him if you want to go to the bottom? That doesn’t make sense. Also, jettison the rest of them? Why?
At this point, I’d offer Lovie the DC job and also give him Assistant HC. That way, Flus can concentrate on being HC for the next few games, and if they don’t improve overall, they can fire him and ride Lovie as HC till season’s end. Can’t fire Flus without having a replacement already on board.