Chicago Bears Shake Things Up After Thanksgiving Fiasco
Well, folks, it’s been a wild ride for the Chicago Bears this Thanksgiving. The city of Chicago was buzzing after the Bears suffered a crushing 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions. But the real kicker? Head coach Matt Eberflus actually said he liked what they did during those chaotic final seconds. Spoiler alert: that didn’t sit well with fans or team management, leading to Eberflus getting booted just two days later!
The Final Moments of a Disastrous Game
Picture this: the Bears were trailing by just a field goal with less than a minute on the clock. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams took a sack with about 30 seconds left, and instead of calling a timeout, the clock just kept on ticking. You could almost hear the collective facepalms from fans as Williams appeared confused, and his head coach didn’t seem to have his back at all.
Finally, with six seconds left, the ball was snapped, and Williams threw an incomplete pass downfield. That was it, game over. As if that wasn’t enough, Eberflus then said, “I like what we did there,” leaving everyone scratching their heads.
A Shocking Decision
Fast forward to Friday, and the Bears made the surprise decision to fire Eberflus. This is a big deal given that the team has a long-standing tradition of never firing a coach mid-season! But after that Holiday disaster, the organization just couldn’t afford to stick to their old ways. Eberflus had plans and ideals that simply didn’t sit right with the realities of the game.
Coach Speak Gone Wrong
In addition to that Thanksgiving disaster, Eberflus had made some puzzling comments throughout the season. After a game where the Bears lost to the Washington Commanders on a last-minute Hail Mary, Eberflus said he wasn’t concerned about giving up easy yards. His indecisiveness and humorous takes on questionable game management only added fuel to the fire among disappointed fans.
Even in earlier losses, like one against the Green Bay Packers where a last-second field goal was blocked, he claimed the team felt good about their strategies. However, the things he said just didn’t line up with the reality on the field, leaving fans and commentators shaking their heads.
Statistics Don’t Lie
Now, let’s be honest; the stats behind Eberflus’s record don’t shine any brighter. He held the dubious honor of having the worst record among all coaches in NFL history when it came to close games. With an abysmal 5-17 record in games decided by seven points or fewer, Eberflus was on borrowed time.
OptaSTATS reported that the Bears pulled a move that has almost never happened in the past 30 NFL seasons, losing by three or fewer points while allowing the clock to expire without making proper use of a timeout. It’s hard to believe that a professional team could air such dirty laundry on national TV!
What’s Next for the Bears?
As a franchise, the Bears have been in a rut for ages. They haven’t won a Super Bowl since the 1985 season, and here we are, still waiting for them to find an elite quarterback. With the potential of Caleb Williams shining bright, Chicago has to make some serious changes if they want to make the most of his talent.
While they’re at it, maybe the Bears should rethink everything about their structure and organization. They’re already halfway through the route of modernizing their operation. And let’s face it; they need all the help they can get!
The Bears are at a crossroads now, and whatever their next move may be, they best learn from the past and do the opposite. After all, if they couldn’t turn the ship around with Eberflus, it’s time to find a method that truly works—especially for their talented rookie quarterback, who deserves a better supporting cast to shine.
