Why are Bears fans asking for Matt Eberflus to be fired? Exploring reasons
The Chicago Bears hired coach Matt Eberflus prior to the 2022 season, after they moved on from former coach Matt Nagy. Eberflus struggled in his first two seasons as the team's coach, finishing in last place in the NFC North in both seasons.
The 54-year-old struggled more in his first season as coach, going 3-14 in the 2022 season, which was the worst in the NFL. Losing their first four games of the 2023 season, the Bears under Eberflus extended their losing streak to a franchise-high 14 games.
After starting the 2023 season 0-4, the Bears won seven of their last 13 games, finishing the season 7-10, which was last place for a second-straight season in the NFC North.
Why are Bears fans asking for Matt Eberflus to be fired?
There are a few reasons why Bears fans are calling for the team to move on from head coach Matt Eberflus.
First, the team improved vastly this off-season. They drafted the No. 1 overall pick in Caleb Williams, landing their franchise quarterback. They also signed a few key free agents such as running back D'Andre Swift.
The team also acquired WR Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers and drafted WR Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick. Still, the Bears are 4-4, which is currently last in the NFC North.
Here are a few specific instances that fans think could lead to a potential Eberflus firing.
DB Tyrique Stevenson showboating to Washington fans, giving up a game-winning Hail Mary to the Washington Commanders
Last week, before the final play of the Washington Commanders' 18-15 victory against the Chicago Bears, Chicago defensive back Tyrique Stevenson was seen taunting Commanders' fans in the crowd.
Stevenson continued to heckle and mock Washington fans before realizing that the Commanders snapped the ball and were on their way to throwing one of the best Hail Marys in recent times.
As a result, Stevenson was informed he wouldn't be in this week's starting lineup, and he removed himself from the practice at the end of last week.
Matt Eberflus' decision to call passing plays towards the end of the game that got QB Caleb Williams hurt
During yesterday's 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Bears kept their starters in the game until the end, resulting in Caleb Williams getting hurt.
With the game out of reach with Chicago down 20 with a little over two minutes remaining, Williams tweaked his ankle at the end of the game but avoided a major injury.
Still, most think that the backups should have been in at this point or Chicago should have had a little bit more of a balanced offense at the end of the game.
DJ Moore hesitant to answer if Matt Eberflus has lost the Bears locker room
Has Matt Eberflus lost the Chicago Bears locker room? It sort of sounds like it.
After the Bears' seconds straight loss, wide receiver D.J. Moore was asked on "670 the Score," if head coach Matt Eberflus had lost the locker room.
This was Moore's response:
"I wanna say no, uh, the message yesterday was that we know we 4-4 now, just like being 0-0, but you just have to go out there and start stacking wins and that's the best thing you can do is win, and let the chips fall how they fall after we do so."
It doesn't sound like the locker room is defending Eberflus the best way they can.
The Bears have never made an in-season fire in franchise history, but it seems like Eberflus has a chance at becoming the first. Do you think the Bears should fire Matt Eberflus?