The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Friday, choosing to go in a “different direction” one day after a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions that ended with the Bears’ furious comeback attempt falling short thanks to clock mismanagement.
“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,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “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.”
“I support Ryan and the decision that was made this morning. We understand how imperative the head-coaching role is for building and maintaining a championship-caliber team, leading our players and our organization,” Warren added in the team’s statement. “Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge, and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future.”
Thomas Brown, who was recently named Chicago’s interim offensive coordinator, will assume Chicago’s interim head-coaching duties as the team gears up for next week’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Eberflus held a news conference via Zoom on Friday morning, saying he felt confident he would be leading the Bears going forward, but hours later, he was informed of the team’s decision.