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

After a disastrous end to Thursday’s loss to the Detroit Lions Chicago Bears has fired head coach Matt Eberflus after just three seasons.

Eberflus, 54, reportedly becomes the first head coach in Bears history to ever be fired midseason. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown takes over as interim head coach.

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

“This morning, after meeting with (Chairman) George (H. McCaskey) and (President and CEO) Kevin (Warren), we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the management of our football team and head coaching position,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. “I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism and dedication to our organization. We express our gratitude for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best going forward.”

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“I support Ryan and the decision made this morning. We understand how critical the head coaching role is to building and maintaining a championship-caliber team, leading our players and our organization,” Warren added. “Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future.”

Friday’s announcement came shortly after Eberflus spoke to reporters on Friday, indicating he expected to remain with the team despite the Bears’ brutal loss to 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 do a good job of evaluating it, our after-action report like we always do,” he said, via NFL.com. “And then I will work in San Francisco. Again, those are conversations we want to have, and again, I’m sure I’ll work on going to San Francisco and getting ready for that game.”

BEARS COACH MAT EBERFLUS EXPLAINS DECISION NOT TO CALL TIMEOUT IN LAST SECONDS AS FANS DEMAND SHOOT

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

On third down with about 30 seconds left and a time out, quarterback Caleb Williams launched an overturned bowl to wide receiver Rome Odunze. Time expired with the score 23-20, giving the Lions their first victory on Thanksgiving since 2016.

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

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, center, looks after calling his final timeout on the final drive of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (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 option … I think we handled it the right way … Didn’t work out the way we wanted ,” Eberflus said after the game.

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But the 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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