The Chicago Bears have made a historic decision, parting ways with head coach Matt Eberflus following a disappointing Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. Bears General Manager Ryan Poles announced the move on Friday, citing the need for a new direction in leadership.
“This morning, after meeting with [Chairman] George [H. McCaskey] and [President and CEO] Kevin [Warren], we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head-coaching position,” Poles said in a statement. “I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism, and dedication to our organization. We extend our gratitude for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
A Midseason First in Bears History
Eberflus’ dismissal marks the first time in the Bears’ century-long history that a head coach has been fired midseason. The decision reflects growing frustration with the team’s performance under Eberflus, who led the Bears to a 14-32 record over nearly three seasons, including a 4-8 record this year.
Team President Kevin Warren backed Poles’ decision, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to improving.
“Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge, and they deserve better results,” Warren stated. “Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned, and energized for the future.”
Thanksgiving Collapse Proves the Breaking Point
The tipping point for Eberflus appeared to be the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. A late-game clock management blunder sealed their fate. Trailing by three points with 32 seconds left and a timeout remaining, Eberflus opted not to stop the clock. The Bears failed to get into field goal range, managing only one final play before time expired.
Eberflus defended his decision in a postgame press conference, stating, “I like what we did there. … To me, I think we handled it the right way. It didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”
Thomas Brown Takes Over
Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown has been named interim head coach. Brown, who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator after the firing of Shane Waldron earlier this month, will now have the task of stabilizing the team for the remainder of the season.
Looking Ahead
The Bears will next face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14, with Brown at the helm. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds to this dramatic midseason shakeup.
As the Bears search for their next permanent head coach, the pressure is on the organization to make the right choice and restore the franchise’s competitive edge.