With Matt Eberflus fired, who will take the reins?
So, Matt Eberflus is officially out. The Bears made the call after their Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions, and honestly, it’s not shocking. That timeout decision—or lack of it—was kind of the last straw.
This is the first time in franchise history the Bears fired a coach midseason. Eberflus came in with the big task of turning the team around. While Eberflus’ tenure started with hopes of rebuilding, his inability to end the Bears’ six-game losing streak sealed his fate.
Now, the Bears are hunting for someone who can actually steer this ship. They’ve handed the reins to Thomas Brown for now, but the odds of him sticking around long-term are kind of slim.
Here’s a breakdown of the top Bears coaching candidates, with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leading the list.
Ben Johnson has become one of the most sought-after names amongst Bears coaching candidates. Known for revitalizing Jared Goff’s career and orchestrating a high-powered Detroit offense featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, Johnson’s work speaks for itself.
While the Bears offer the chance to develop Caleb Williams, Johnson might hesitate due to the organization’s history of dysfunction. As Adam Schefter pointed out on “Get Up”:
“Ben Johnson is going to be very, very selective about the place that he chooses to go, if he decides even to leave Detroit. He’s going to be very careful.”
Would Johnson cross over to a divisional rival? It’s a tough call, but his name remains at the top of the Bears’ wish list.
If the Bears decide to stick with a defensive-minded coach, Jesse Minter’s name makes sense. The Chargers’ defense this season is unreal. They’re giving up the fewest points per game in the league (15.9). Minter’s got players like Poona Ford and Kristian Fulton playing at a different level right now.
But the Bears just went through the Eberflus experiment, and he was a defensive guy too. After how that went, Chicago might not want to go down that road again. Still, Minter’s getting calls, no doubt about it.
Kellen Moore has been a name to watch for a while, especially now, among the Bears coaching candidates. He’s 36, and his work with quarterbacks is next-level. Just look at what he did with Dak Prescott and now Jalen Hurts. The Eagles are dominating the ground game this season, and Moore’s adaptability has been a huge part of that.
What makes him interesting for the Bears is his experience as a former NFL quarterback. He could bring something unique to the table in working with Caleb Williams. Plus, he’s known for his meticulous game-planning, which is exactly the kind of structure the Bears need right now.
Ben Johnson might get most of the attention in Detroit, but Aaron Glenn has quietly transformed the Lions’ defense into a top-tier unit.
Taking over as defensive coordinator in 2021 with a roster that lacked standout talent, Glenn has elevated the group to rank fourth in points allowed and 11th in yards this season. They’ve also forced the sixth-most turnovers in the league, showing their ability to deliver in critical moments.
If the Bears decide to stick with a defensive-minded coach, Glenn’s proven ability to develop players and build a competitive unit could make him a strong contender.
Mike Vrabel, currently a consultant for the Browns, has an impressive resume. During his time with the Titans, he led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances and secured two divisional titles. Vrabel’s defensive mindset and leadership skills would bring a veteran presence to the Bears, though his fit with a young quarterback like Caleb Williams raises questions.
Bill Belichick’s name inevitably comes up during coaching searches, but the idea of him joining the Bears seems unlikely. Despite his legendary status as a six-time Super Bowl champion, Belichick has expressed skepticism about the Bears’ setup. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, he remarked:
“To me, the bigger thing is just where the Bears are.”
Belichick’s blunt assessments don’t stop there. After a preseason loss to the Texans, he offered a scathing critique of Caleb Williams on Inside the NFL:
“He wasn’t accurate. He’s 10-for-20. There was a couple of highlight plays. But they weren’t that good.”
While the thought of Belichick in Chicago is intriguing, his preference for more control and the Bears’ organizational challenges make this pairing a long shot.
Read more: Matt Eberflus under fire after Bears’ timeout blunder in Lions loss: ‘I like what we did there’
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