After a heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday. chicago bears They fired head coach Matt Eberflus after just three seasons.
According to reports, Eberflus, 54, becomes the first head coach in Bears history to be fired in the middle of a season. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus watches a Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears on Thursday, November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“After meeting someone this morning, [chairman] george [H. McCaskey] and [President and CEO] kevin [Warren]”We have communicated to Matt our decision to move in a different direction regarding the leadership of our football team and the head coaching position,” Bears general manager Ryan Pauls said in a statement. “We are proud of Matt's hard work, professionalism and dedication. Thank you very much.” to our organization. We would like to thank him for his contributions to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best of luck in the future. ”
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“I support Ryan and the decisions made this morning. We understand how important the role of the head coach is in building and sustaining a championship-caliber team and leading our players and organization,” Warren said. I am doing it,” he added. “Our fans have supported us and pushed us through all the challenges. They deserve better. Our organizational and operating structures are strong, focused and aligned. We are excited about the future.”
Friday's announcement came shortly after Eberflus spoke to reporters Friday and indicated he intended to remain with the Bears despite their crushing loss. lions He added that he was focused on preparing for the team's Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving Day.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) speaks with head coach Matt Eberflus during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
“I'm going to try to finish this game. I'm going to do a good job of evaluating the postgame report as I always do,” he said, via NFL.com. “And I'll work on the next thing San Francisco. Again, those are the conversations we're going to have and I feel confident going back to San Francisco and getting ready for that game. ”
Bears coach Matt Eberflus explains decision not to call timeout in final seconds as fans call for him to be fired
Eberflus, in his third season as the team's coach, faced harsh criticism after the Bears appeared to squander their chance to tie the game with the Lions in the final minutes of Thursday afternoon's game.
On third down with about 30 seconds left and one timeout, quarterback Caleb Williams threw an overthrow bowl to wide receiver Roma Odunze. The score remained 23-20, giving the Lions their first Thanksgiving victory since 2016.
However, Eberflus was questioned for his poor clock management, particularly why a timeout was not taken when Williams was sacked on the previous play.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus (center) looks on after calling the final timeout during the final drive of the game against the Detroit Lions on November 28, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. ). (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“I like what I did there. When I got under 12 [seconds]you don't really have a choice. . . I think we handled it the right way. . . . It didn't work out the way we wanted it to,” Eberflus said after the game.
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However, the ownership appears to be inconsistent.
Eberflus leaves the Bears with a 14-32 record, making Chicago the third NFL team to fire a head coach this season.
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