Chicago Bears Fire Matt Eberflus, Retain GM Ryan Poles to Lead Coaching Search
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The winds of change are blowing through Chicago, and the Bears are making headlines once again. Just three days after the Chicago Bears parted ways with head coach Matt Eberflus following a gut-wrenching 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions, the organization has decided to stick with its current leadership structure—at least for now.
In a Monday press conference, team president and CEO Kevin Warren confirmed that general manager Ryan Poles will remain in his role and will spearhead the search for the Bears’ next head coach. Poles, who has been with the team since January 2022, will serve as the “point person” in the hiring process, with Warren expressing full confidence in his abilities.
“Ryan is young. He’s talented. He’s bright. He’s hard-working,” Warren said. “He has done everything in his power on a daily basis to bring a winner to Chicago. And I’m confident in Ryan. My faith remains strong in Ryan.”
Poles to Lead the Hunt for the Bears’ 17th Head Coach
Poles and Eberflus were hired as a package deal in January 2022, replacing former GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. The duo embarked on a massive rebuild, starting with a roster overhaul that led to a dismal 3-14 record in 2022. Things seemed to be looking up in 2023, as the Bears improved to 7-10. But after drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in April, expectations were sky-high for 2024.
The season started promisingly with a 4-2 record, but the wheels quickly came off. The Bears dropped six straight games, four of which were decided by one score, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s direction. Poles acknowledged the frustration in the locker room after the loss to Detroit, which ultimately led to Eberflus’ dismissal last Friday.
“I want to thank coach Eberflus for his efforts and his dedication while he was here, but at the end of the day, we just came up short too many times and we had to make a change,” Poles said. “As I reflect back two years ago, I was proud of the progress that we made from year one to year two, but disappointed we weren’t able to stay on that track in year three.”
Criticism Over the Timing of Eberflus’ Firing
The timing of Eberflus’ firing has drawn widespread criticism. On the morning of his dismissal, Eberflus conducted his usual day-after-game press conference virtually, only to be informed of his termination roughly 2.5 hours later. Warren admitted that the decision to fire Eberflus had not been finalized by the time of the press conference, but he acknowledged that the situation could have been handled better.
“In retrospect, could we have done it better? Absolutely, and I’ll be the first one to raise my hand, yes,” Warren said. “But during his press conference and even a couple hours later, we had not reached a decision.”
Warren emphasized that the organization wanted to ensure Eberflus had the opportunity to inform his family before the news became public. “This is the first time, and it happens around the league a lot, where a head coach will find out he’s terminated before he’s told by the organization, and that’s something that we promised that we weren’t going to do,” Warren added.
Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown Steps In
With Eberflus out, offensive coordinator Thomas Brown has been promoted to interim head coach. The 38-year-old will continue to call plays while coaching from the sideline. Wide receivers coach Chris Beatty has been elevated to offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator Eric Washington will take over play-calling duties on defense.
Brown didn’t shy away from taking responsibility for the Bears’ late-game struggles, which have been a recurring theme this season. Four of Chicago’s losses—against Washington, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit—were decided on the final play, including a chaotic sequence against the Lions that saw the clock run out on a potential comeback.
“I know there was a lot of scrutiny, talk, dialogue about what has happened at the end of some of these games,” Brown said. “I am not exempt from responsibility in those actions, because we’re a team. I believe in doing things together. We get rewarded together; we also get criticized together.”
What’s Next for the Bears?
The Bears have five games remaining this season, starting with a tough road matchup against San Francisco in Week 14. These games will serve as an audition for Brown, who could be a candidate for the permanent head coaching job. Poles emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity for Caleb Williams, the 23-year-old quarterback who is seen as the future of the franchise.
“[Williams’] development is critical, so we need to make sure there’s alignment in that space so he can continue to get better,” Poles said.
When asked if Williams would have input in the coaching search, Poles left the door open. “I don’t know about specific input, but it’s got to be a major part in the interview process of making sure that there’s a plan for a young quarterback in this league,” he said.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Eberflus was fired after a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions.
- Ryan Poles will remain as GM and lead the search for the Bears’ next head coach.
- Thomas Brown has been promoted to interim head coach, with five games to prove himself.
- The Bears are prioritizing Caleb Williams’ development in their coaching search.
As the Bears look to the future, one thing is clear: the next few weeks will be critical in shaping the direction of this storied franchise. Will Ryan Poles find the right leader to turn things around? Only time will tell.
Originally Written by: Courtney Cronin
