The Chicago Bears acted swiftly in parting ways with head coach Matt Eberflus after a puzzling defeat against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The circumstances surrounding the game and the events that unfolded afterward provide insight into the franchise’s decision.

The Game That Led to the Dismissal

In a nail-biting finish, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams found himself under pressure as the clock ticked down, and the Bears needed a field goal to extend the game into overtime. With just 30 seconds left, Williams was sacked in Lions territory, and the offense struggled to line up as time slipped away. Despite having one timeout at his disposal, Eberflus did not call for it, leaving the Bears unable to execute a play before time expired.

A Frustrating Finish

Williams managed to throw a last-ditch effort to star receiver D.J. Moore, but the pass fell incomplete, sealing the Lions’ victory. This loss was particularly disheartening for the Bears, who had shown promise with a second-half comeback. However, the failure to utilize the timeout effectively raised eyebrows and contributed to the mounting frustration within the organization.

Locker Room Tension and Leadership Challenges

Following the game, reports indicated that team president and CEO Kevin Warren lingered in the locker room longer than usual, addressing players with a message of accountability. “We need to be better,” Warren expressed, highlighting the urgency for improvement.

An even more telling moment occurred during Eberflus’s postgame address. According to ESPN, his speech was described as a “s— show” by one player. Eberflus attempted to speak to the team, but star cornerback Jaylon Johnson interrupted, voicing his frustration over the continuing losses. “I’ve been losing for five years. A high-level player like myself, after a certain point, losing games how we’ve been losing, somebody has to express something,” Johnson stated on WSCR radio in Chicago.

Frustration Mounts

The locker room atmosphere was reportedly contentious, and Eberflus cut his speech short after only a few moments. Cole Kmet, another player on the team, noted that while Eberflus’s intentions were good, the repetitive nature of his messages about hard work and coming up short was beginning to wear thin. “You only want to hear it so much,” Kmet remarked.

Historic Dismissal

Ultimately, Eberflus made history as the first head coach of the Bears to be fired mid-season, ending his tenure with a disappointing 5-19 record in one-score games—the poorest mark in NFL history among coaches with at least 20 games. This included notable gaffes, such as a tipped Hail Mary that resulted in a touchdown for the Washington Commanders during a critical game, while a Bears cornerback was seen taunting fans instead of focusing on the play.

Moving Forward

The culmination of these events led the Bears to make the decision to part ways with Eberflus. In the wake of his dismissal, the franchise has turned to Thomas Brown to take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

As the Bears navigate this transition, the focus will be on rebuilding and finding a path forward that can lead to better results on the field.