Two subjects have dominated Chicago Bears discussions for the past month. One is the looming decision GM Ryan Poles will have regarding the #1 pick and a possible quarterback change. The other is the fate of head coach Matt Eberflus. Remember, this man presided over the longest losing streak in franchise history (14 games) and has endured some of its most painful 4th quarter collapses along the way. That, along with the presence of team president Kevin Warren, leads many to believe he will get fired after the season.
However, the Bears’ recent surge of three wins in the past four games and the ascent of their young defense has many wondering if plans have changed. They’re 5-8, already improving on last season’s 3-14 record. A couple more wins down the stretch would prove the team is heading in the right direction. Is that enough to buy Eberflus another year, or are the earlier missteps too much to overlook?
In these situations, what the players think often matters. This is where it gets interesting. Team insider Adam Jahns of The Athletic provided an update on Bill Zimmerman’s Bears Banter podcast. He grew curious about Eberflus’ standing in the locker room during the team’s 0-4 start to the season in September. When he asked various players about the head coach, the answers he got surprised him.
Matt Eberflus never changed his approach.
That was something linebacker T.J. Edwards gave him credit for. It would’ve been easy to abandon his style and try anything to pull the team out of its skid. Instead, Eberflus kept plugging away with the same messages, insisting that the wins would come if everybody adhered to what he taught them and believed in each other. After that fourth straight loss, they turned around and blasted Washington 40-20 on Thursday Night Football. That felt like a real turning point of the season.
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Starting with that game, they’ve gone 5-4 since, with the big win over the division-leading Lions last Sunday being the latest sign of real progress. Matt Eberflus hasn’t been perfect. He’s made his fair share of mistakes. The key is it appears he is learning from those mistakes. Word is he’s been open to changes, frequently speaking with leaders in the locker room about adjustments they can make to improve. Those sorts of things often endear a coach to players. He brings a disciplined hand to things but is always open to communication.
Jahns’ story offers the first real indication that the head coach might not see a change in 2024.
This may have been true a day or two ago, but after today’s DEBACLE, the Flus is History! Had you kicked a FG at the end of the First Half, you might have gone to OT, but you balked … and don’t tell me the Wind was in his face, LET HIM TRY mister CONSERVATIVE!
You’ll get no argument from me on that, Arnie. Above all else, the IOL has to be fixed, primarily at center. We have to get a vet before the draft, and another in the draft. I think only good things can come from a QB and C developing a relationship early in their careers.
@jmscooby While everyone has an opinion about the quarterback play and playcalling, the one thing not enough people talk about is the offensive line…and no, I am not talking about comments made about talent level. The consistent problem with the Bears offensive line is their interior pass protection schemes. Everyone will get beat by a pass rusher from time to time, but with the Bears (for the past two seasons) blow assignments on practically every pass play. It’s gotten better of late, but it frequently looks like defensive coordinators are confusing the Bears’ guards and center, meaning Justin ends up… Read more »
Micah Parsons was the next pick after Fields. He is the closest I have seen to LT. We were desperate and drafted a shotgun only QB, with 22 career starts. If he had the nuances of the QB position down, his feedback would be vital to Getsy’s development. You said all the pieces must click, and It’s all about the distributor. I would consider bringing in Brian Hartline as our WR’s coach. I haven’t seen the development of Velus or Scott, and guys not knowing the playbook to begin the season really chapped me, as did our D not showing… Read more »
@jmscooby I agree with what say about Johnson and Kmet, I don’t know, so can’t agree or disagree about any player. I just know that much more can be coached with all these young players. Fields keeps being referred to as a “third year” quarterback, but I think he’s severely regressed after leaving OSU’s coaching. Being coached by Matt Nagy is not just a zero, but a minus. Getsy is better, but not hugely so. I don’t look at Fields, but the entire offense and their depth pieces (since we all know there are NFL injuries). When you look at… Read more »