The Chicago Bears have looked like a team that is ready to make a big jump in 2024. While the preseason is a dangerous barometer for what can happen in actual games, it’s hard to ignore how sharp the team has looked all month. Their players looked sharper than both the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, two supposed AFC contenders. If nothing else, their depth is far better than it has been in years. Most of the credit for that goes to GM Ryan Poles and the work he’s done on the roster. However, some people have hinted that head coach Matt Eberflus isn’t getting enough respect.
After all, he is the one who has spent the past three off-seasons developing this roster. Their high-intensity, high-effort style comes from his constant message built around his H.I.T.S principle. Players have noticed how strong the locker room culture has become. Kyler Gordon noted as much.
“The way I’ve felt since the day we came in, from the first day, everyone’s just like starving, everyone wants to eat, some type of way, however it is.
The way that we do talk, the way that we positively critique and get on each other, the accountability, the way we hold each other to the standard and stuff like that, we’re on top of it 24/7, really.”
He called the feeling “uncommon” based on his football experience.
The cornerback isn’t the only one noticing Eberflus’ influence. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds pointed out how the head coach has fostered an environment that lets players be themselves, allowing teammates to connect on a deeper level.
“For me, I trust the individual more, I respect the individual more if you show up as your authentic self. I think we have a lot of guys who what you see is what you get. It’s not like I’m going to show up for this person, I’m going to try to be this person, but behind closed doors I’m this person. Nah. It’s a genuine person. I think when you have a group of genuine people, I think that bond and that energy you feel, it’s going to naturally feel different.”
Matt Eberflus is proving to be more than his background.
When he was hired two years ago, all anybody could talk about was that he was a defensive guy. That meant he would likely have no concept of how to develop a quarterback like Justin Fields or now Caleb Williams. Time has shown he’s more than that. Fields may not have reached the full potential he had as a former 1st round pick, but he played much better football towards the end of his time with Eberflus than he did at the start. Even though he coordinates the defense, the man has operated like a head coach in every way possible. The entire team responds to him.
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Call him boring if you want. His message has been consistent from the day he arrived. The Bears would be a fast, disciplined, and intense football team. Everybody helps everybody. Players and coaches are held to the same standard. If you don’t meet it, you’re out. At the same time, if you play well and do as instructed, you’re rewarded. Everything about the Bears over the past ten months suggests they have fully bought into Matt Eberflus’ message. He might finally get some well-deserved recognition if things come together as expected.
Respect will come with winning. Disrespect and Dismissal will come with losing.
Same as always.
If Flus is not getting enough respect according to you Bears players, then either play the violins with tears in your eyes or play football well enough to win consistently. When other teams’ coaches and players think highly of him, then you know for sure he is a good winning coach, rookies.
Seems hard to evaluate Eberflus. He has a horrible win-loss record, but the team finished strong. He doesn’t seem to be playing any drama games or sending mixed messages, or playing favorites. The morals of the team seem good. The players say good things but then again they usually do that for most coaches. His defensive play calling seems at a minimum above average but could possibly elite. The addition of Montez Sweat helping the system do what it’s supposed to leans me toward elite. Makes it seem Flus was doing a masterful job without the main ingredient. Then again… Read more »
If he shaves his beard, our season is screwed.
Tom Waddle Told Ya is the type of person who would explain winning at a slot machine as luck. Wait, is that obvious? Yeah, Mr. Obvious. Ignoring that you have to put the coin or chip in the machine to win. After that, you see how it works out. Last year, there was nowhere to go but up and they did. Spectacularly in some cases, they managed to take what could have been a dysfunctional family into a united team ready to take on all challenges. That was Eberflus remaining calm and asking them to put everything on the line… Read more »