Ryan Poles did everything he could to help Matt Eberflus succeed as head coach of the Chicago Bears. He built the defense necessary for his system. The Bears invested big money at positions they probably shouldn’t have, like running back and linebacker, because it’s how Eberflus wanted them built. Many wanted the head coach fired after the 2023 season, feeling he’d cost the team too many winnable games and wouldn’t have a good plan for a young quarterback that would come in. Still, Poles stayed the course.
That was obviously a mistake. Halfway through the 2024 season, the team pulled the plug after a myriad of brutal losses perpetrated by Eberflus’ horrible game management. A few months later, Ben Johnson arrived as the long-awaited replacement. In the weeks they’ve worked together since, Poles is frankly blown away at how different the two coaches are. He couldn’t resist explaining the key thing that separates them.
“His ability to really give a clear vision of what he wants and needs to be successful is really, really good, and you can just tell the high football IQ is on a totally different level than what I’ve seen and been a part of before.”
There isn’t much room for misinterpretation there. It is pretty obvious that Poles have way more respect for Johnson’s football acumen than Eberflus offered.
Matt Eberflus was painfully unqualified for the job.
It was made clear when the news came out that Indianapolis had planned to fire him as defensive coordinator before the Bears swooped in to offer the head coaching job. It remains incredibly difficult to understand what the organization was thinking with that move. The only explanation is they did a favor for Bill Polian, who has deep ties to the Colts organization. Poles only spent 24 hours deliberating the decision after he was hired as GM. Everything about it felt off. Some speculate it was done because Matt Eberflus wouldn’t make waves regarding team roster decisions; simply grateful to have a job.
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Going from that to a highly sought-after candidate like Johnson must feel like graduating from a community college to Harvard. Poles finally has somebody in the building who can grasp every single detail in the process, from personnel to coaching and so on. You aren’t slipping anything past Johnson. He will be on top of anything, which was the constant issue with Eberflus.
I get the caution advice with any coach but to compare who Flus was when he was hired and who Ben is absurd. One was a coach nobody was going to hire and the other is the guy that teams lined up to hire. It takes a low IQ to not understand how simpleton Flus is and how intelligent Johnson is. Listen to them!! But more than that look what both have accomplished in their careers. One had a middling DC record, the other designed the top offense in the NFL with a QB who Sean McVeigh threw away. My… Read more »
What amazes me is that we continue to get articles (rightfully) bashing Eberflus and his staff. But ever since he was not fired by the Bears, Ryan Poles has somehow become rehabilitated in the eyes of a large portion of Bears fans. Just a reminder – Ryan Poles was – at least – a full partner in the past three year”s .294 record. It may be that Matt Eberflus was not the only person who was “painfully unqualified” for their job here. And if it is fair to be cautious of Ben Johnson ( it is ) , who comes… Read more »
Or is it maybe just a GM pumping up his new hire?
He’s also seen and been a part of Andy Reid…. is this also Reid catching a major stray?
Who actually cares about Matt Eberflus at this point..?
I think the author needs to retire the Justin Fields and Matt Eberflus articles, dude move on please 😳