The Chicago Bears emerged from 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, just in case, some coaching changes.
The main explanation the Bears offered Monday afternoon was about the confusing hours leading up to Eberflus’ firing on Friday. The morning after the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, during which Eberflus’ poor decision-making and playmaking proved to hurt the team once again, Eberflus met with the media.
It was an awkward press, 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 a little cruel, but team president Kevin Warren said Monday that his intention was the opposite: Bears leaders were still meeting about Eberflus’ future. at the time of the press session, and Warren wanted to give Eberflus a chance to tell his family before the news leaked to the media.
The Bears were criticized for having Matt Eberflus meet with the media just hours before he was fired on Friday. Kevin Warren’s explanation for the timing, including wanting Eberflus to tell his family before the news leaked: pic.twitter.com/fvtLNKbecU
– Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 2, 2024
Despite politely wanting Eberflus to tell his family about his firing, Warren did not explain why the team’s leadership was still meeting about Eberflus at the time, and why that conversation lasted several hours after the end of the meeting. press conference. That paints a less-than-stellar portrait of the Bears’ decision-makers, who had been shown time and time again that Eberflus wasn’t working out and still fought to fire him.
One of those decision makers, general manager Ryan Poles, will be in charge of hiring the new head coach. Warren said Monday that his faith in the Poles “remains strong” and he believes the Bears will find the right person.
Bears president Kevin Warren: “The only way to make a good player or a legendary great player great is to create that environment of accountability and set standards that are extreme and demanding. 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 was less direct about quarterback Caleb Williams’ role in the upcoming head coaching search. Warren did not commit to Williams having any involvement in the decision, but he said an important part of each interview will be about Williams’ plan for the future.
Thomas Brown announces coaching changes
Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who was promoted from offensive coordinator over the weekend to replace the fired Eberflus, announced 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 continue to call plays, but he emphasized (as he did when he was promoted to interim OC earlier this season following the firing of Shane Waldron) “it’s not a one-man show. It’s not about me.”
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington will handle the defensive snaps, while special teams coordinator Richard Hightower will remain in place.
The Bears’ first game with Brown as head coach will be Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.