Following a two-game losing streak since their bye week, Chicago Bears' head coach Matt Eberflus seems to be on the hot seat as the team enters the back half of their 2024 schedule.
In light of the Bears losses to the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals in consequent weeks, it has brought to light the errors that Ryan Poles has made. Perhaps the biggest mistake that Poles has made was the decision to bring back Eberflus at the Bears' head coach for a third season.
It's a mistake that many expect Poles to correct after the season. While it remains highly unlikely that the Bears will fire Eberflus in-season, there is a growing expectation there will be a change after the season.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, however, may note share that same expectation. In pushing back against the idea that Eberflus is certain to be fired at the end of the season, Biggs shared an interesting tidbit about the current head coach's contract.
While I was under the assumption Eberflus signed a four-year contract when he was hired, I’m now led to believe he actually signed a five-year deal that runs through the 2026 season. If you think about it, when you’re selling the idea of a rebuild and preaching patience, it stands to reason Eberflus would seek a deal longer than four years, and from what I’m told, I believe he got that. You may recall I asked Eberflus directly about the length of his contract when he was hired, and he declined to say.
Eberflus having two years remaining on his contract does change the conversation slightly regarding his job status. It would mean that the 2025 season would not be a lame-duck season for Eberflus as he would be under contract for 2026 as well.
It still remains more likely than not that Eberflus will be in jeopardy of losing his job after the season. That said, if the Bears turn their season around in the weeks ahead, the fact that Eberflus has two years remaining on his contract after this year likely would kick a decision down the road until after the 2025 season.