by The Chicago Bears came out of the Thanksgiving long weekend without a permanent head coach following the firing of Matt Eberflus last Friday. On Monday, they faced the media armed with explanations, promises and a few coaching changes for good measure.
The main explanation offered by the Bears Monday afternoon concerned the confusing few hours leading up to Eberflus’ shooting Friday. The day after the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, in which Eberflus’ poor decision-making and calls once again hurt the team, Eberflus met with the media.
It was an awkward presser, made even more awkward a few hours later when the Bears fired Eberflus, firing a head coach during the season for the first time since World War II.
Letting Eberflus face the media right before he was fired seemed slightly cruel, but team president Kevin Warren said Monday that his intention was the opposite: Bears executives were still in meetings about the future of ‘Eberflus at the time of the media session, and Warren wanted to give Eberflus the opportunity to tell his family before the news was leaked to the media.
The Bears were criticized for asking Matt Eberflus to meet with the media just hours before he was fired Friday. Kevin Warren’s explanation of the timing, including Eberflus’ desire to tell his family before the news broke: pic.twitter.com/fvtLNKbecU
– Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 2, 2024
Despite being kind enough to want Eberflus to tell his family about his firing himself, Warren did not explain why team executives were still meeting about Eberflus at that time, and why this conversation lasted several hours after the end of the press conference. This paints a less-than-stellar picture of the Bears’ decision-makers, who had been shown time and time again that Eberflus wasn’t practicing but still had trouble firing him.
One of those decision makers, general manager Ryan Poles, will be responsible for hiring the new head coach. Warren said Monday that his confidence in Poles “remains strong” and believes the Bears will find the right fit.
Bears President Kevin Warren: “The only way to make a good player a great player or a legendary great player is to create that environment of accountability and set extreme, demanding standards. We will find that person.”
General manager Ryan Poles will lead the search for a permanent head coach. pic.twitter.com/0fcPM9u8nr
– Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 2, 2024
Warren has been less outspoken about quarterback Caleb Williams’ role in the upcoming head coaching search. Warren did not commit to whether Williams would be involved in the decision, but said a large part of each interview would be about the plan for Williams’ future.
Thomas Brown announces coaching changes
Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who was elevated from offensive coordinator over the weekend to replace the fired Eberflus, announced the changes to what is now his coaching staff, starting with the promotion of Chris Beatty from wide receivers coach to interim offensive coordinator. Brown will still call plays, but emphasized (as he did when he was promoted to interim OC earlier this season after Shane Waldron’s firing) “this is not a one-man show. He doesn’t It’s not about me.”
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington will assume leadership of the defensive play, while special teams coordinator Richard Hightower will remain in his position.
The Bears’ first game with Brown as head coach is Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
