6 thoughts following the Chicago Bears 25-20 loss to the Eagles
Chicago Bears Thought No. 4: Matt Eberflus is starting to lose patience
Matt Eberflus and his coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for keeping this game close. They have gotten more out of this roster than anyone could imagine. If the roster is upgraded as one can expect this offseason via free agency and the draft, then next season could be encouraging.
However, he was not a happy man in his postgame presser. He expressed his disappointment about the mistake Jaquan Brisker made when he blitzed the wrong gap and allowed Jalen Hurts to go untouched for a touchdown right before halftime.
He was even more blunt when asked about Velus Jones’ fumble. It happened during the third quarter with the Bears trailing 17-13 and had the ball at the Eagles’ 42-yard line with 5:52 left. Jones took a handoff from Fields on the end-around, and Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox knocked the ball out of his hand. Linebacker Haason Reddick recovered the ball at the Eagles’ 43.
2c. Their biggest busts tend to come from the mideast, midwest, or northeast regions.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) December 19, 2022
Kevin White (West Virginia)
Mark Bradley (Oklahoma)
Juanquin Iglesias (Oklahoma)
Velus Jones (Tennessee)*
Anthony Miller (Memphis)
David Terrell (Michigan)
The #Bears must switch strategies. pic.twitter.com/7NMqvwouZ6
His comment after the game indicates he is running out of patience with Jones.
Eberflus on Velus Jones Jr.'s 3rd Q fumble: "I don't like that. I don't like it. I don't like when guys lose the football. It's not good. Guys have to do a better job securing the ball."
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 18, 2022
Right now, the Bears have no choice but to start five rookies and give players like Jones an opportunity to play. Jones is clearly blowing it. You will remember he lost two fumbles earlier this season as a punt returner and lost that job. He also could not catch the deep pass against the Dallas Cowboys. With another fumble lost again on Sunday, his status as a draft bust is all but cemented, fair or not.
Eberflus also indicated on a postgame presser that position coaches are equally responsible for mistakes like the one made by Brisker as they are equal partners with players and share equal credit and blame together.
These comments made by Eberflus are a sign that despite the growing pains that come with playing rookies, he is starting to lose patience with some of them late in the season. His patience is wearing thin as the team is mired in a seven-game losing streak. Losing the final three games is also a strong possibility. Especially since they barely have enough healthy players left.
With only three games left in the season, the coaching staff will face greater scrutiny, and some coaches are likely to pay the price.