The Chicago Bears opted to run it back with head coach Matt Eberflus for the 2024 season, but most would agree that nothing is guaranteed beyond this year.
And, with the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, general manager Ryan Poles may be setting Eberflus up for failure.
Rarely does a head coach, on what some might assume is his last year to prove his worth, have a positive outcome when his team drafts a rookie quarterback. But, that's exactly what it looks like the Bears are going to do.
ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the league-wide consensus is that the Bears are going to draft Caleb Williams with the no. 1 pick. And, there are instances few and far between where a rookie quarterback immediately leads a team to success.
If Eberflus is ultimately fired after the coming year, Williams could have one of the brightest offensive minds available as his next head coach.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed today that Eric Bieniemy talked to the offense and spent some time with the team ahead of their AFC Championship Game vs. Baltimore.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 7, 2024
Reid: “His coaching future is great.” https://t.co/NB68pOHXdL
Could Eric Bieniemy hold out for the Chicago Bears head coaching gig in 2025?
As it stands, the only other NFL team in need of an offensive coordinator is the Seattle Seahawks. With Eric Bieniemy out in Washington, it's either he somehow lands the gig in Seattle, takes a smaller role on another franchise for 2024 or holds out for more opportunities in 2025.
Bieniemy has long been waiting for his chance at being an NFL head coach, and getting his hands on Caleb Williams in Chicago could be a golden opportunity. Williams has often been compared to Patrick Mahomes, whom Bieniemy gets much credit for helping develop.
The Bears have never had a quarterback with the ceiling of Williams, nor have they had an offensive mind like Bieniemy. While Eberflus has done some good things with the defense, this is an offensive league and the Bears simply haven't been able to live up to expectations.
If Chicago opts to let go of Eberflus in 2025 and Williams is in Chicago, do not be surprised if they go the route of hiring Bieniemy.
Just last season, Bieniemy got more out of Sam Howell than anyone would have ever thought possible. At one point, Howell led the league in passing yards. Despite Howell's youthful mistakes, the Commanders offense was, at the very least, entertaining to watch for much of the year. And remember, we're talking about a team that is very likely to take a quarterback in this upcoming draft. Howell is not in their future plans, yet was a league-leader at one point during the 2023 campaign.
Imagine what Bieniemy could do with Williams, D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet among other weapons added.
It might take another year of mediocre play, but this Bears roster is on the rise and full of plenty of young talent. After this upcoming draft, the roster will look even better. If Eberflus can't get the most out of it, he'll be gone.
All eyes will be on a candidate like Bieniemy for the Bears in 2025.