Hall of Fame coach implies Matt Eberflus is collared after Detroit debacle

Matt Eberflus just can’t get out of the way. It’s almost an art form at this point. It started with no time out for the Hail Mary attack in Washington. He then wasted 35 seconds trying to get closer than 46 yards on a field goal against Green Bay, but it was blocked. His defense allowed several 3rd and long conversions, including a big one in overtime against Minnesota. But that all pales in comparison to Thanksgiving afternoon in Detroit, where he let the final 30 seconds of the game expire with a timeout remaining and the Bears barely five yards out of field goal range

It was unlike anything humans had ever seen before. You don’t see such blatant late-game mismanagement from an NFL head coach. Hell, you don’t even see them on most college coaches. People were trying to figure out what on earth happened. Hall of Fame head coach Bill Cowher summed it up in four terrible words.

“Matt Eberflus just froze.”

Matt Eberflus choked. That’s basically what was said.

There is no other way to get around it. Caleb Williams had just gotten a sack. There were 30 seconds left. The crime was not organized. Any head coach with common sense should have called the timeout. There would have been time for two more games. One would hopefully be a completion to get into field goal range, and the other would be the field goal attempt to force overtime. Matt Eberflus let the last bit of it fly over him. His lack of situational awareness remains appalling. People can’t understand how the Bears continue to employ him despite overwhelming evidence against his competence. There is no doubt that the calls will be louder than ever in the coming days. It was already ugly. Now things are getting even worse.