Chicago Bears fire head coach Matt Eberflus

The Chicago Bears (4-8) have fired Matt Eberflus, the first time the storied franchise has dismissed a head coach in-season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Eberflus, 54, parted ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron nine games into his tenure but now gets third prize with the Bears reeling after a 4-2 start to the season. Thomas Brown, who took over the play-calling duties after Waldron’s dismissal, will serve as the interim head coach.

Eberflus spoke to the media hours before his firing, where he expressed confidence he would remain the head coach moving forward.

“I’m confident I’ll be working into San Francisco and getting ready for that game,” Eberflus said.

Eberflus, hired in January 2022 after a four-season stint as defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts (5-7), ultimately didn’t win enough in Chicago, going 14-32 and finishing last in the NFC North in back-to-back seasons. Chicago is in the basement again, as their division counterparts in the Detroit Lions (10-1), Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and Green Bay Packers (9-3) all have one foot in the postseason.

Bears move on from Matt Eberflus following Thanksgiving loss to Lions

His in-game management, or lack thereof, was often panned — particularly in the closing moments of the 23-20 Thanksgiving Day defeat to the Lions. Trailing by three points with 36 seconds remaining, quarterback Caleb Williams took an untimely sack on second-and-20 from the Lions’ 35-yard line.

Eberflus had one timeout in his back pocket but decided against using it. Instead, the Bears let the clock wind down, not snapping the ball until there were six seconds left. A deep ball to receiver Rome Odunze fell incomplete and time ran out. The Bears dropped their sixth consecutive game.

Eberflus defended his handling of the final drive while speaking with the media after the game.

“I like what we did there,” Eberflus said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “Again, once it’s under seven [seconds], you’re going to call a timeout there — actually under 12 and then really you don’t have an option because it’s third to fourth, you have to throw it into the end zone then.

“To me it’s — I think we handled it the right way, I do believe that you just rerack the play, get it in bounds and call timeout, and that’s why we held it and didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”

The Bears’ upper brass felt differently.

Chicago will now look to hire the 18th head coach in its history following Eberflus’ firing. Eberflus, meanwhile, has a chance to land on his feet elsewhere after three seasons with the Bears.