THE Chicago Bear (4-5) find themselves at a critical juncture in their 2024 season after a three-game losing streak. Things seemed to be going in the right direction with a three-game winning streak and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams excelling. But things quickly fell apart after the bye week, during which some players openly criticized the coaches’ decision-making and the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after another dreadful offensive performance.
Now, head coach Matt Eberflus — and maybe even general manager Ryan Poles — find themselves in the hot seat, in some ways, after what has been a brutal last three games following the bye week.
Whether Eberflus will last the entire season or beyond, a month, two weeks or one game remains to be seen – especially depending on how things play out against the Green Bay Packers. But we will follow all the way. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the coolest seat and 10 being the hottest seat, here’s a look at where Eberflus and the Poles’ seats stand heading into Week 11.
HC Matt Eberflus
Heat meter week 11: 9/10
The Bears have never fired a head coach mid-season, and that’s not expected to change this season, but it certainly feels like Eberflus will be out of a job at the end of this season. There’s no denying he’s a great defensive coordinator, but he’s not a good head coach. In year 3, he still had the same game management problems that cost his team games. He doesn’t know how to coordinate defense and lead a football team. And he’s the guy responsible for managing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who he remained evasive about starting all season. When Bears leaders start talking about effort issues and questioning coaching decisions, you know you’ve lost the team.
Chicago fired Waldron, who was part of the problem but also served as a scapegoat for Eberflus, who is the real problem. Parting ways with Waldron was a step in the right direction, but it won’t solve the overall problem that is Eberflus. He’s 14-29 in three seasons, including an abysmal 3-18 on the road, and the offense has been at its worst with him leading the way. Ultimately, the team’s difficulties fall on Eberflus. It was Eberflus who hired Waldron. Eberflus is the one who would have fought to keep Waldron this week. Eberflus was the one who fired two offensive coordinators in the same calendar year. Eberflus is the one who lost eight coaches in two years. It is Eberflus who loses control of his team. And unfortunately, it’s Eberflus who will likely be allowed to coach this team in these final eight games.
General Manager Ryan Polish
Week 11 heat meter: 2/10
Poles deserves a lot of blame for the Bears’ struggles this season, namely the fact that he built this current roster (and chose to bargain shop offensive linemen rather than use resources to bolster protection of his new rookie quarterback). Then there’s the fact that it was probably the Poles’ decision to keep Eberflus after last season — and knowing they were starting over at quarterback. Rather than start the cycle again – with a new head coach, likely with an offensive background, and Caleb Williams – the Poles continued the same tired cycle of a failed head coach being responsible for a young QB in a rookie season crucial.
That said, it appears the Poles’ job is safe beyond this season. General managers tend to have two head coaches and carry out the quarterback selection. And, to be fair, we didn’t see Poles involved in a head coaching search as he was presented with three options after his hiring – Eberflus, Dan Quinn and Jim Caldwell – and a decision made three days later . The Poles’ seat may not be warm yet, but it is certainly warming up.
This article was originally published on Bears Wire: Bears Hot Seat Watch: Where Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles Stand in Week 11
