Bears fire head coach Matt Eberflus after Thanksgiving Day loss in first midseason firing

After a disastrous end with the loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday, the Chicago Bears have fired head coach Matt Eberflus after just three seasons.

Eberflus, 54, is reportedly the first head coach in Bears history to ever be fired midseason. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus watches a Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears in Detroit, Michigan, on Thursday, November 28, 2024. (Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“After meeting with (Chairman) George (H. McCaskey) and (President and CEO) Kevin (Warren), we informed Matt this morning of our decision to move in a different direction with our football team leadership and the boss. coaching position,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism and commitment to our organization. We thank him for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best all the best for the future.”

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“I support Ryan and the decision made this morning. “We understand how important the role of head coach is in building and sustaining a championship-caliber team that leads our players and our organization,” Warren added. “Our fans have stood by us and overcome every challenge and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operating structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future.”

Friday’s announcement came shortly after Eberflus spoke to reporters Friday in which he indicated he expected to remain with the team despite the Bears’ brutal loss the lions on Thanksgiving Day, adding that he was focused on preparing for the team’s Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with head coach Matt Eberflus during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

“I’m just going to work on finishing this game and evaluating this, our post-game, well, like we always do,” he said, via NFL.com. “And then I’ll work on it San Francisco. Those are also conversations we will have and I am confident that I will continue to work after San Francisco and prepare for this game.

BEARS COACH MATT EBERFLUS EXPLAINS THE DECISION NOT TO CALL A TIMEOUT IN THE FINAL SECONDS AS FANS SCREAM FOR SHOOT

Eberflus, who is in his third season coaching with the team, faced intense criticism after the Bears seemingly squandered a chance to tie the game against the Lions in the final seconds of Thursday afternoon’s game.

On third down, with about 30 seconds left and a timeout, quarterback Caleb Williams threw an overthrown bowl to wide receiver Rome Odunze. At the end of the game the score was 23-20, giving the Lions their first Thanksgiving win since 2016.

But Eberflus was questioned about his poor time management, particularly why a timeout wasn’t called when Williams was sacked on the previous play.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus (center) looks on after taking his final timeout on the final drive of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on November 28, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“I like what we did there. Once it’s under 12 (seconds), you really have no choice… I think we handled it right… Didn’t work out the way we wanted,” Eberflus said after the game.

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But ownership apparently disagreed.

Eberflus leaves the Bears with a 14-32 record and Chicago becomes the third NFL team this season to fire a head coach.

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