Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus has vowed to "evaluate everything from the top to the bottom" after Chicago's third consecutive loss, this time a rough 19-3 defeat to the New England Patriots. The Bears are in a serious slump, unable to find the end zone in two straight games and going a staggering 23 consecutive offensive drives without a touchdown—the longest active streak in the NFL. The situation is becoming dire, and Eberflus isn’t ruling out major changes, including rethinking the play-calling responsibilities.
In fact, just six days after expressing confidence in his offensive coordinator Shane Waldron following a tough 29-9 loss to Arizona, Eberflus seemed open to exploring adjustments in the offensive leadership. "We're looking at everything," he stated, acknowledging the urgency to address the team's issues. It’s a critical moment for the Bears, who haven’t been able to execute offensively, and the fans’ patience is wearing thin.
Tough Losses and Frustration Mounting
The Bears' offense hasn’t managed to put up a touchdown since Week 8 when Roschon Johnson scored on a 1-yard go-ahead play in a heartbreaking 18-15 loss to Washington on a last-second Hail Mary. Since then, Chicago’s offense has been in a prolonged rut, a fact not lost on tight end Cole Kmet, who said, "We've been in a funk the past three weeks, and we’ve got to find a way out of it." The fans feel it too. By the fourth quarter of the Patriots game, chants of "Fire Flus" echoed throughout Soldier Field, indicating that fans’ frustrations are at an all-time high.
Adding to the team’s struggles, Chicago's offensive line has been severely battered, missing four key players heading into the Week 10 matchup. Starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright were out, and guard Nate Davis was ruled out just hours before kickoff due to back issues. Even during the game, injuries continued to pile up when left guard Teven Jenkins left with an ankle injury. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams felt the heat, suffering nine sacks, which pushed his total up to 18 over the last three games. With Williams facing intense pressure, he recorded only 120 passing yards, his lowest since his NFL debut.
Offensive Woes and Possible Coordinator Change
The Bears were a dismal 1-for-14 on third-down conversions, the worst they’ve performed in that category since 2012. Chicago has historically been hesitant to fire an offensive coordinator mid-season, but with each game, the pressure mounts. Williams has expressed confidence in adapting if changes happen, indicating that he's ready to work with a new play-caller if it comes to that. Waldron, who came to Chicago in January 2024 after former coordinator Luke Getsy was let go, has faced criticism as the offense continues to underperform. Despite Waldron’s successful history as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023, the fit in Chicago hasn’t been smooth.
Another potential option for offensive play-calling could be Thomas Brown, the Bears’ current passing game coordinator. Brown has previous play-calling experience from his time with the University of Miami and with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, making him a logical alternative if Eberflus does decide to shift responsibilities.
Eberflus Faces the Heat: Resilience and Accountability
When asked about the chants calling for his firing, Eberflus was direct: "It's part of the job...You've got to stand strong." He emphasized his commitment to keeping his team unified, making adjustments where necessary, and staying resilient amid mounting criticism. Eberflus’ message to the team was to "take a hard, inward look, accept accountability, and be accountable to the guy to the right and the guy to the left."
After the loss, players were left with some tough questions about their faith in the coaching staff. Safety Kevin Byard avoided a direct answer, instead expressing the need for the team to play better and focus on winning. This sense of urgency and accountability resonates deeply with the team as they prepare for a grueling stretch, which includes six division games over the next eight weeks. The Bears will kick off this series with a home game against NFC North rival Green Bay, and all three of Chicago’s divisional rivals currently hold winning records.
Eberflus emphasized that he’s not worried about losing the locker room if major changes aren’t made. "I believe in those guys," he said. "They have faith in us working together. I believe in our football team, and I believe in the leaders in the football team."
The Road Ahead: Can the Bears Rebound?
With a daunting schedule and a floundering offense, the Bears face a critical crossroads. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will likely dictate the future of their coaching staff. Fans, analysts, and players alike are waiting to see if Chicago’s offense can pull itself out of this slump and start making the kinds of plays that lead to wins.
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