The Chicago Bears have finally made a move that many fans have been demanding for most of the season: firing head coach Matt Eberflus. The decision came after a disastrous Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions, as confirmed by a team announcement on Friday.
Eberflus’ final moments as the Bears’ head coach left much to be desired, with his poor clock management standing out. In the closing seconds, as the Bears attempted a game-tying drive, quarterback Caleb Williams took a sack while Eberflus held onto a timeout, allowing precious time to slip away.
It was a decision that encapsulated the struggles of his tenure in Chicago. Over two-plus seasons, Eberflus compiled a disappointing 14-32 record, leaving Bears fans with few positive memories. Now, attention turns to who will lead the franchise next. Let’s explore some potential candidates for the job.
BILL BELICHICK
Get ready for another offseason of speculation involving Bill Belichick, ladies and gentlemen. As long as the legendary Patriots head coach remains interested in continuing his coaching career, he will be linked to numerous vacancies around the league—and Chicago is no exception.
Belichick’s resume speaks for itself: six Super Bowl victories, 10 Super Bowl appearances, and a Hall of Fame-worthy career. He’s also renowned for building some of the fiercest defenses the NFL has ever seen. However, this is far from a sure thing. One of the reasons Belichick didn’t land the Falcons job last year was due to his desire for significant control over the roster and coaching staff. He prefers doing things his way, and the Bears might be hesitant to grant him such autonomy.
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Sure, his stock may have taken a hit after Tom Brady’s departure to Tampa Bay, and there are rumors that he’s lost his edge. Despite that, Belichick’s credentials ensure that he’ll be at the top of the Bears’ list, and he’ll likely at least get a call—even if it doesn’t ultimately lead to an agreement.
MIKE VRABEL
If Bill Belichick is the number one name on every team’s wishlist, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is not far behind. Vrabel made a name for himself during his time with the Titans by maximizing the talent at his disposal and leading his team to unexpected success.
Vrabel started his tenure with four consecutive winning seasons and took the Titans all the way to an AFC Championship Game, despite a roster that was often viewed as average at best. Although the cracks began to show in 2022 and 2023, resulting in his dismissal, Vrabel’s ability to do more with less still makes him an attractive candidate.
Much like Belichick, Vrabel is known as a defense-first coach. He consistently got the most out of his Titans teams, and while their defensive statistics were inconsistent, he earned a reputation as a leader who could quickly change a team’s trajectory for the better.
BEN JOHNSON
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be one of the hottest names in the coaching carousel this offseason, and the Bears would be wise to give him serious consideration.
Johnson’s offensive schemes have transformed the Lions into one of the league’s best offenses over the last three seasons. Under his guidance, the Lions have consistently ranked in the top five in total yards and lead the league in scoring this season.
Renowned for his creative playcalling and ability to maximize his players’ abilities, Johnson’s offensive acumen could be exactly what the Bears need to unlock their young talent, especially with first overall pick Caleb Williams on the roster. Bears fans are already salivating at the thought of what Johnson could do with the weapons Chicago has assembled on offense.
THOMAS BROWN
The Bears’ interim head coach, Thomas Brown, took over as offensive coordinator in Week 11 amid the team’s recent struggles. Although the Bears have yet to string together wins under his leadership, the offensive improvement has been noticeable, with Caleb Williams showing flashes of his considerable potential.
Brown will have a chance to prove himself over the final five games of the season. If he can keep Williams and the offense on an upward trend and get the defense to buy in, there’s no reason why Brown couldn’t be considered for the permanent job. At the very least, his performance down the stretch will put him in the conversation as a serious contender.
AARON GLENN
While Ben Johnson gets much of the attention as the Lions’ coordinator transforming their offense, Aaron Glenn has quietly done a stellar job on the other side of the ball as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.
Glenn inherited a defense with a significant talent gap in 2021, yet he has gradually built them into a formidable unit. This season, the Lions rank fourth in points allowed and 11th in total yards, and they are sixth in turnovers forced—a testament to Glenn’s coaching prowess.
With Glenn’s track record of building a successful defense despite limited resources, he is expected to garner plenty of interest in Chicago. If the Bears decide to go with a defensive-minded coach for their next hire, Glenn would be an intriguing choice to help reestablish the team’s defensive identity.
The Bears’ head coaching position is now one of the most intriguing openings in the NFL. With Caleb Williams at quarterback and a roster filled with young talent, the right coach could quickly turn things around in Chicago.
Whether they go with a proven veteran like Belichick, a turnaround specialist like Vrabel, an offensive innovator like Johnson, a rising talent in Brown, or a defensive guru like Glenn, the Bears have a variety of options to consider as they chart their path forward.
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