The Chicago Bears emerged from the Thanksgiving long weekend without a permanent head coach following the firing of Matt Eberfluss on Friday. On Monday, the team’s leadership faced the media armed with explanations, promises and a few coaching changes thrown in for good measure.
The original explanation provided by Bears on Monday afternoon was the confusion hours before Eberflus’ firing on Friday. The morning after the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, in which Eberflus’ poor decision-making and play-calling proved to cost the team yet again, Eberflus met with the media.
It was an awkward presser, made even more awkward hours later when the Bears fired Eberfluss, the first time in franchise history to ax a head coach during the season.
It seemed a little cruel to let Eberfluss face the media right before the firing, but team president Kevin Warren said Monday that his intentions were the opposite — Bears leadership was still meeting with Eberfluss’ future during the media session, and Warren wanted to give Eberfluss the go. He gave the opportunity to tell his family before the news was leaked to the media.
The Bears were criticized for Matt Eberflus meeting with the media hours before he was fired Friday. Kevin Warren’s explanation of the timing, including Eberflus’ desire to tell his family before the news leaked: pic.twitter.com/fvtLNKbecU
— Jori Epstein (@ZoriEpstein) December 2, 2024
Although Eberfluss was kind enough to inform his family of his dismissal, Warren failed to explain why team leadership was still having meetings about Eberfluss at the time and why that conversation lasted several hours after the presser ended. It paints a less-than-stellar portrait of the Bears’ decision-makers, who didn’t fire Eberflus even after being shown repeatedly that it wasn’t working.
One of those decision makers, general manager Ryan Pols, will be in charge of hiring a new head coach. Warren said Monday that his faith in Meru “remains strong” and believes the Bears will find the right person.
Bears president Kevin Warren: “The only way to make a good player great or a great player legendary is to create an environment of accountability and set extreme and demanding standards. We’ll find that person.”
GM Ryan Pols will lead the search for a permanent head coach. pic.twitter.com/0fcPM9u8nr
— Jori Epstein (@ZoriEpstein) December 2, 2024
Warren was less specific about QB Caleb Williams’ role in the upcoming head coaching search. Warren wouldn’t promise any input on Williams’ decision, but said a large part of each interview would be discussing Williams’ future plans.
Thomas Brown has announced a coaching change
Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who was promoted from offensive coordinator over the weekend to replace the fired Eberflus, has now announced changes to his coaching staff, starting with the promotion of Chris Beatty from wide receivers coach to interim offensive coordinator. Brown will still call the plays, but insists (as he did when he was promoted to interim OC earlier this season following the firing of Shane Waldron) “It’s not a one-man show. It’s not about me.”
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington will take over defensive play-calling, with special teams coordinator Richard Hightower taking over.
The Bears will have their first game with head coach Brown on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
