Matt Eberflus Replacements: 5 offensive coaches Bears should target to save Caleb Williams ft. Bob SlowikÂ
Matt Eberflus is on an increasingly short leash with the Chicago Bears and he knows it as fans are getting frustrated with how rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is being handled. The first overall pick of this year's draft replaced Justin Fields, who was supposed to be the franchise starter not too long ago, and his development has not panned out the way it was supposed to.
The Bears are 4-5 for the season and have lost three straight games. While there was not much their offense could do as the Washington Commanders won with a Hail Mary pass from Jayden Daniels three weeks ago, the issue was that they scored only 15 points in that game. They followed that up with nine points against the Cardinals and three points versus the Patriots.
That culminated in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's dismissal, as Matt Eberflus looks to save his reputation and that of Caleb Williams. However, the head coach might not be safe either. He was hired based on his defensive prowess having previously called plays on that side of the ball with the Colts.
If he is replaced, here are some offensive-minded coaches that the Bears could look at.
Potential Matt Eberflus replacements that could help Caleb Williams
#5. Lincoln Riley, HC, USC Trojans
If there is one coach who knows how to get the best out of Caleb Williams, it is Lincoln Riley. The current Trojans head coach has experience in college football as an offensive coordinator before getting the top job. He was responsible for the current Bears' quarterback transfer from Oklahoma to USC when he switched jobs.
Lincoln Riley does not have experience coaching in the NFL. But it might be a bold decision to go for him nevertheless. The Cowboys hired Jimmy Johnson straight out of Miami and he created the legend of Michael Irvin, who was his former star at college level. This could be an inspiring possibility for Chicago.
#4. Kliff Kingsbury, OC, Washington Commanders
Kliff Kingsbury is the current offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders and one cannot help but think that the Bears are casting an envying glance at what he has done with Jayden Daniels.
The rookie was picked right after Williams and is playing much better as a quarterback than his Chicago counterpart. That he is doing so with a defensive head coach in Dan Quinn will not have gone unnoticed as Matt Eberflus struggles.
Kliff Kingsbury has previously worked with the Bears quarterback at USC and has a history of developing star NFL quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. He has an itch to scratch after being dumped by the Cardinals as their head coach and would relish an opportunity to prove himself again at that level.
#3. Eric Bieniemy, OC, UCLA Bruins
One issue with the coaches mentioned above is that they are unlikely to be available immediately. Eric Bieniemy, on the other hand, should be readily available even though he is currently employed as the offensive coordinator at UCLA.
He was responsible for some of Patrick Mahomes' best years at Kansas City and given how Caleb Williams has been compared to the Chiefs' quarterback, there is something to be said for hiring him. Chicago is currently 4-5 and in the hunt for playoffs and might need an immediate replacement for Matt Eberflus.
The only concern they might have is that the latter replaced Matt Nagy, another offensive coach from Andy Reid's tree, and that experiment did not succeed for the Bears.
#2. Ben Johnson, OC, Detroit Lions
Ben Johnson could have a head coaching job the moment he wants. The way he has handled the entire offense for the Lions has been nothing short of amazing. A perpetually losing team's culture has been changed with him at the helm. Jared Goff has found a new lease of life under his tutelage despite being a first-overall pick who the Rams traded away.
Caleb Williams knows what it is like to be under such scrutiny, having been picked first overall in this year's draft. He also has experience of navigating the NFC North from his time in Detroit. Ben Johnson would be a fantastic option if the Bears decide to wait out and let Matt Eberflus see out the season.
#1. Bob Slowik, OC, Houston Texans
When the Texans chose C.J. Stroud with the second pick of last year's draft, there were concerns about whether he was ready to be an NFL quarterback immediately. Now, those questions are a thing of the past as he is the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year and looking good to win the AFC South for the second consecutive season.
While DeMeco Ryans gets the plaudits as the head coach, the offensive mastermind behind Houston's success is Bob Slowik. Given what he has done while working with a rookie head coach and quarterback, he could be in the frame to replace Matt Eberflus come the end of the season.