Despite a wave of firings within the Bears organization, Matt Eberflus will remain as the team's head coach next year. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, and wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert were all fired after "extensive meetings" earlier in the week. The Bears went 7-10, including winning four of their last six games. It's a step in the right direction, improving on the team's 3-14 2022 campaign.
Keeping Eberflus is the first of two major decisions for the Bears. The other regards the future of current starting quarterback Justin Fields. Fields was the Bears' first-round pick in 2021 and has seen mixed performances during his first years in the NFL. Holding the first-overall pick in this year's draft thanks to a trade last year, the Bears could draft a highly-regarded quarterback prospect. The decision on whether to build around Fields or completely reset will come later in the offseason. Trading Fields could net the Bears further draft capital to expand their rebuild with.
Matt Eberflus Escapes Firing
However, with Eberflus still in charge, it means that the veteran NFL coach avoids becoming the next coach fired this cycle. The Falcons, Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, Titans, and Commanders all fired their head coaches either during or immediately after the season. More coaching changes are expected to come. Will New England move on Bill Belichick? Only time will tell. A number of major players are also expected to be on the move, be it via free agency or trade.
Despite the fluctuation, Eberflus still holds the confidence of the Bears' upper management. Eberflus has coached in the NFL since 2009, with the Bears being his head coaching role. The former Toledo product will continue to guide the franchise, holding the No. 1 and No. 9 picks in this year's draft. If the team chooses to retain Fields, there is every chance that the team could trade the No. 1 selection for the second year in a row.
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