Name: Chicago Bears Fire Coach Matt Eberflus With Free-Falling Team Last in NFC North
Uploaded: 2024-11-30T03:33:11.000Z
Description: CHICAGO—Matt Eberflus was fired by the Chicago Bears on Friday, one day after botching a timeout in a loss to Detroit.

Jack Bradley is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Jack previously anchored "NTD Newsroom" and worked as an assistant producer for the show. 

Jack Bradley

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the U.S. and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

China’s Broken Promises Loom Over New Trade Deals

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

Californians React as Trump Calls for Gas Tax Suspension

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

Federal Agencies Announce ‘Summer Surge’ of Law Enforcement into DC Ahead of 250th Anniversary

Christina Corona is a California-based reporter for NTD News. She primarily covers California news, politics, and entertainment.  

Christina Corona

Trump Administration Reports Zero Border Releases

Arian Pasdar is an international correspondent for NTD News based in South America. His reporting focuses on immigration and key events in Latin America.

Arian Pasdar

US to Host 1st Ever World Cup Final Halftime Show, Featuring Shakira, Madonna

Savannah Pointer is a politics reporter for The Epoch Times. She can be reached at savannah.pointer@epochtimes.us

Savannah Hulsey Pointer

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's National Security Correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

Health News

Texas Children's Hospital to Open First-Ever Detransition Clinic Under Deal With DOJ

Sam Wang is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Sam covers politics on Capitol Hill, and U.S.-China relations. 

Sam Wang

Citizens Honor Police for Their Service and Sacrifice

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

Trump ‘Projecting American Influence and Leadership’ on Iran Issue in Beijing: China Expert

Chris Bob is a reporter for NTD and a host of "Profiles of Service." He is also a small business owner. Chris graduated from Union College with a concentration in politics and religion in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Chris Bob

Senate Panel Advances Crypto Regulation Bill

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

Lawmakers Weigh ‘Sanctuary’ Polices After Woman’s Death in Virginia

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 14)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 11)

Don Ma is an anchor and senior business correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Don is the anchor and producer of NTD's "Business Matters," which airs weekdays at 4:30 pm ET.

Don Ma

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 10)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 9)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

CHICAGO—Matt Eberflus was fired by the Chicago Bears on Friday, one day after botching a timeout in a loss to Detroit.

Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will serve as interim coach, the Bears said in a statement.

“This morning ... 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. “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.”

Eberflus was 14–32 in two-plus seasons with the Bears, who fell to 4–8 with their sixth straight loss on Thursday.

The Bears began the season eyeing a playoff spot following an offensive overhaul but are now last in the NFC North. Eberflus’s record in 2 1/2 seasons ranks among the worst in the history of the founding NFL franchise. The only Chicago coaches with worse marks were John Fox (14–34 from 2015–2017) and Abe Gibron (11–30–1 from 1972–1974).

The Bears thought they were in position to rise in the NFC North after going a combined 10–24 in their first two seasons under Eberflus and Poles. They revamped their offense, drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick and acquiring six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers.

But instead of climbing, the Bears find themselves in a familiar spot at the bottom of the division. Several of their losses during their skid came down to the final play.

The Bears actually rolled into their bye with three straight wins and a 4–2 record. They went into a free fall from there, with Eberflus’s game management and hold on the locker room coming under increased scrutiny with each loss.

Things started to unravel in Week 8 with a loss at Washington on a Hail Mary touchdown by Jayden Daniels. Bears players openly questioned some of the coaching decisions in that game.

The Bears got blown out the following week at Arizona and embarrassed by New England in a 19–3 loss at home. Williams got sacked a career-high nine times in that game.

The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron two days later and replaced him with Brown. It was the second time in 10 months the Bears fired an offensive coordinator.

Waldron, who lasted just nine games, replaced Luke Getsy in January. Brown actually interviewed for the offensive coordinator job at that time.

The Bears suffered another gut-wrenching loss in Week 11, losing to Green Bay at Soldier Field when Cairo Santos’ 46-yard field-goal attempt as time expired got blocked. Eberflus opted to let the clock wind down rather than try to shorten the distance on the kick by running another play. The Bears also had Santos attempt to hit the winner from the left hash even though he prefers to kick extra points from the right hash.

Eberflus’s game management again was an issue the following week in an overtime loss to Minnesota. This time, there was a communication issue when trailing 17–10 in the third quarter and facing fourth-and-4 from the Minnesota 27-yard line.

Santos and long snapper Scott Daly ran onto the field thinking Chicago was going to attempt a field goal, only to get waved off by a lineman because the Bears were going for it.

It led to a chaotic scene with Williams getting to the huddle late and hurrying to snap the ball in order to avoid a delay-of-game penalty before throwing an incomplete pass. Eberflus took the blame for the confusion, saying he didn’t do a good enough job communicating on the previous play that he was planning to go for it on fourth down.

On Thanksgiving, poor clock management on the Bears' final drive extended their losing streak to six games.

The Bears drove into position for a tying field goal or winning touchdown, only to have a sack and questionable clock management end the game before they got a chance at either one.

The confusion started after Williams hit Keenan Allen for a 12-yard completion to the Lions 13 in the final minute. That would have given the Bears plenty of time to try for the win before attempting the field goal, but guard Tevin Jenkins was called for illegal hands to the face, moving the ball back to the 35.

On second down, the Bears called a draw play for Williams, hoping he could get the first down and set up the field goal. However, backup tackle Larry Borom didn’t move as Za’Darius Smith came in unblocked to sack Williams for a 6-yard loss.

Eberflus’s tenure was marked by turnover on his staff. Former defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned early in the 2023 season, and the Bears fired running backs coach David Walker a few weeks later.

Most of the remaining offensive assistants were let go at the end of the year. But the Bears opted to stick with Eberflus after winning five of seven late in the season, led by an improved defense with their head coach calling the plays.

Poles said then he was impressed with Eberflus’s “leadership through hard times.”

“We had some adversity early in the season, in the middle of the season, his ability to stand strong and keep the team together was incredible,” he said.

Poles gave the offense a major makeover in the offseason, clearing the way for drafting a quarterback by trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He landed a star receiver for the second year in a row with the deal for Allen, after sending the No. 1 pick in 2023 to Carolina for DJ Moore. Chicago got the Panthers’ 2024 first-rounder in that deal for Moore and used it to take Williams.

The Bears also drafted receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick. They added running back D’Andre Swift and veteran Gerald Everett to form what looked like a potent tight end tandem with Cole Kmet.

Despite all those moves, the Bears didn’t get the results they envisioned. Now, they’re moving on from Eberflus.

<em>By Andrew Seligman and Rob Maaddi</em>

Latest

Videos

Sports News

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

bears

Management

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.