When Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown reconvenes the team at Halas Hall on Monday following a weekend off, his immediate priority will be to steady the franchise after a tumultuous few days that saw the dismissal of Matt Eberflus as head coach. Brown inherits a team shaken by a series of missteps and frustrations that culminated in a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday—a game marked by glaring errors in clock management.
Chaos Marks Eberflus’ Final Game
Eberflus’ tenure ended on a chaotic note, as his failure to call a timeout deprived rookie quarterback Caleb Williams of a chance to lead a game-tying drive. Williams, visibly frustrated on the sideline, tempered his public comments afterward, stating diplomatically, “It’s not my decision to make as an inexperienced player; that’s on the coach.” However, behind closed doors, the locker room atmosphere was anything but diplomatic.
Reports indicated that tensions boiled over in the visiting locker room at Ford Field. Players openly vented their frustration at what one described as “an all-time high” level, derailing Eberflus’ post-game speech about “sticking together.” One player bluntly remarked, “Guys were [ticked] off. It’s not the talent—it’s the coaching.”
The dissatisfaction was emblematic of a growing rift between Eberflus and his players, as his repetitive post-game rhetoric about resilience and looking ahead fell flat. Tight end Cole Kmet noted that such platitudes were wearing thin after years of losing. “We’ve heard it enough,” Kmet said. “We want the results.”
A Season of Errors and Mismanagement
Eberflus’ tenure was riddled with costly mistakes. From poor clock management against the Commanders to a defensive lapse against the Cardinals, his errors repeatedly put the Bears in unwinnable positions. A blocked field goal against the Packers and a disastrous miscommunication against the Vikings only compounded the frustrations. By the time of the debacle in Detroit, faith in Eberflus had eroded entirely.
Although Eberflus managed to keep the team refocused for midweek practices, his ability to lead effectively on game day was increasingly questioned. Management, including general manager Ryan Poles, chairman George McCaskey, and team president Kevin Warren, began to doubt his capacity to salvage the season. That doubt reached a breaking point after the Lions’ loss.
The Decision to Move On
The decision to fire Eberflus was finalized during a Friday morning meeting at Halas Hall, with Poles, Warren, and McCaskey deliberating for three hours. Poles, reportedly furious over Eberflus’ mishandling of the Lions game, preferred to make the decision after cooling off. Ultimately, the group agreed that it was better to act immediately rather than drag the situation out until the offseason.
The reasons for Eberflus’ dismissal were clear: his game-costing decisions, a locker room that had lost confidence in him, and the impossibility of retaining him for another season. Additionally, concerns about his handling of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams weighed heavily on the decision.
The timing of the firing, however, drew criticism. Eberflus conducted his usual Friday press conference unaware that his dismissal was imminent. By mid-morning, he was informed of the decision and promptly said goodbye to his staff in a brief meeting. Team captains were notified to relay the news to the players, and by noon, the Eberflus era was officially over.
Fallout and Eberflus’ Farewell
In a statement released to CBS, Eberflus expressed gratitude to Poles, McCaskey, and the Bears organization, praising the players for their effort and resilience. “In every situation—practice, games, and especially in the face of adversity—you stayed together and gave great effort for your team and each other,” he said. He also thanked Bears fans for their passion, though that passion often manifested in chants and boos calling for his ouster during games.
Eberflus leaves the Bears with a 14-32 record, a tenure marked by unfulfilled promises and mounting frustrations. For fans and players alike, the focus now shifts to Thomas Brown and the hope that his leadership can stabilize the team and chart a new course for the future.