Chicago Bears: 5 Targets to replace Matt Eberflus as head coach
The Chicago Bears’ 2023 season is already down the tube. They have not won a game yet. In fact, they have gone almost a complete calendar year without winning a game. The players are starting to tune out. There are conflicting reports coming out between the players, the coaches, and the front office.
The Bears are in a tailspin that has no end in sight.
It seems that head coach Matt Eberflus has lost the team. Last season, despite a lack of talent on the roster, the players bought Eberflus’ philosophy. He is a hard-working, old-school coach. He had his famous HITS principle — Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways, and Smart play.
Playing by this principle, the Bears were competitive in many games. They finished the season with eight one-score games. There were several more that were close in the fourth quarter before the opponent pulled away late.
As the losing continued, however, things have changed. Their franchise-long 14 game losing streak is taking a toll. You can talk all you want about playing tough and playing the right way, if the losses continue to mount, at some point the players will tune the coaches out.
That seems to be the case with the players this season. The 2023 season is a continuation of 2022 in terms of the losing. What we’re seeing that is different, though, is that the players aren’t following Eberflus’ principle. We see a lack of huslte on too many plays. The intensity isn’t there anymore. The defense isn’t forcing any takeaways while the offense gives the ball away. Finally, the play is not smart. There have been too many mistakes in key situations and the dumb penalties are killing them.
With the Chicago Bears struggling so much, they need to replace head coach Matt Eberflus. Here are five possible options.
Some may say that it is still too early to talk about Eberflus replacements. There is still time to turn things around. There would have to be some major turnaround for him to save his job. He currently has a 3-18 record. That is the fourth-worst in NFL history among coaches with 20 decisions. If the team suddenly turns it around and goes 10-3 the rest of the way, he will equal Marc Trestman’s win total. We all know how great the Trestman era was (insert sarcasm face here).
What we do know is that if some feel he can do that, the McCaskeys likely give him the opportunity to do so. They have never fired a head coach mid-season. There is no evidence that they will be any different this season. Barring a miracle, however, Eberflus should be one of the first head coaches fired on Black Monday.
Here is a list of possible replacements. Of course, there could be others available as the season progresses. This is preliminary. However, these options could be available for the Chicago Bears
Brian Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
The Chicago Bears have used a blueprint similar to the Philadelphia Eagles. It is proper, seeing that Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields are similar quarterbacks. The Eagles have bloomed on offense, and Hurts has progressed magnificently. Brian Johnson played a part in that.
Before becoming the Eagles’ offensive coordinator this season, he was their quarterbacks coach. He worked closely with Hurts and his development. Johnson was one of the hot candidates for an offensive coordinator spot around the league. Once Shane Steichen left as offensive coordinator to take over as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Johnson decided to take a promotion with Philadelphia.
Everywhere Johnson has gone he has developed great offenses and helped his quarterbacks. Before the Eagles, he was the offensive coordinator of the Florida Gators. The Gators had one of the best offenses in the nation. He could be the one to help Fields develop the way many expected.
Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator
Another offensive coordinator who could take over as head coach is Frank Smith. While everyone is in love with head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for what they are doing with the Miami Dolphins, the one behind the scenes is Smith. His playcalling is excellent and he utilizes the players’ best asset.
That is one of the biggest frustrations with the Chicago Bears and Fields. The coaches are trying to convert him into a pure pocket passer. That is not Fields’ forte. Sure, he could run some plays from the pocket. However, he is much better when the pocket is moving. Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy does not seem to understand that as he continues to want Fields to drop back. Apparently, Eberflus is in agreement with that move since he is not doing anything to change.
Smith would be different. He will look at Fields’ strengths, along with the rest of the offense, and adjust accordingly. This is something the Baltimore Ravens did with Lamar Jackson. In the middle of the season, they changed the offense to tailor to Jackson’s strengths. If Smith can do that with Fields then we could see great things offensively.
Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator
Do you want an offensive-minded coach who has experience dealing with injuries to key personnel and a struggling offensive line to still get the most out of his quarterback? Then you can look to the Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Slowick had an offensive line that lost three starters, including both tackles. That was not ideal since they also had rookie C.J. Stroud leading the offense. We in Chicago know how injuries affect an offense. There were many around the NFL who expected Stroud to struggle in a big way.
Instead, with Slowik changing up the offense, Stroud i off to a historic start. He is averaging 303 yards passing per game, and has thrown no interceptions. He is only the sixth quarterback to do so in his first four games.
Slowik has used a quick-hitting offense to make up for the offensive line’s struggles. In fact, the unit is doing a geat job of protecting Stroud and allowing him enough time to get rid of the ball. After giving up 11 sacks in the first two games, the line has given up no sacks in the past two games. Imagine that, an offensive line that’s gone two straight games without giving up a sack!
Slowik could look at the Chicago Bears’ situation and do a similar job. It is amazing that the current coaching staff cannot do the same.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
The Detroit Lions are the hottest name in the league today. After starting out the 2022 season 1-6, they’ve gone on a tear. They finished last season by going 8-2 and narrowly missing the playoffs. This season, they have continued the torrid pace, starting 3-1. That means they’ve gone 11-3 since that horrible start. Three of those wins were against the Green Bay Packers. Imagine that, beating the Packers multiple times.
The best move Lions head coach Dan Campbell made was having Ben Johnson be his offensive coordinator. Johnson is another coach that maximizes his players’ abilities. Jared Goff is having an incredible start to the season. He is completing 69.5 percent of his passes. He is on pace to throw for over 4,300 yards.
The Lions’ offense ranked fifth in points scored last season. They rank eighth this season. They are putting up points in bunches and surprising many people. Johnson has the offense humming by using his players’ best abilities and confusing the defense with his schemes. The players love to work with him because of how he breaks everything down and explains his system easily. They understand not only where they should be but also why the play is called and formed.
Johnson was tapped to become the Carolina Panthers’ head coach but he turned the job down. He will definitely receive much more attention this offseason. He could be the hottest head coach candidate and would be great to develop a young quarterback.
Eric Bieniemy, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
The Chicago Bears could possibly see their next head coach this Thursday when they travel to Washington. Eric Bieniemy has the offense playing better. Washington ranked near the bottom in points scored in 2022. This season, they currently rank 17th.
It was a little bumpy to get the offense going, though. Bieniemy came over from the Kansas CIty Chiefs. He had a lot of success there, but perhaps quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid got most of the credit for that success. He changed scenery and should he succeed in Washington he could finally get a head coach’s job.
It seems that every year Bieniemy’s name comes up as a head coach candidate. He has gone through a number of interviews but has yet to get one. However, if he does do well with the Commanders but their win total is not what the team expects, he could end up taking over for Ron Rivera there.
At Washington, Bieniemy is calling plays. In his five seasons as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator it was Reid who called the plays. Being able to call plays and improve a bad Washington offense sends signals to other teams that he could be a good head coach. That might be what teams could be looking for before pulling the trigger on hiring him.
The Chicago Bears need someone who can jumpstart the offense. Bieniemy has shown he could work with young players and get the most out of their talents. Now he is showing that he could also call a good game.
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