Another decision at the head coaching position is about to be made by the Chicago Bears. They had no idea it would return so quickly. But Matt Eberflus has rendered it inevitable. As of now, he has a 6-21 record, which is the worst start a head coach has ever had in team history. The games against Detroit, Minnesota, and Cleveland coming up may make things much worse. There is no need to keep Eberflus around for another year if things get as terrible as they could.
Therefore, the Bears need to locate a replacement before the upcoming off-season, which will be crucial. One issue exists: during the past ten years, this company has gained a reputation for making some rather puzzling hires. They always seem to choose someone unexpected during a cycle, instead of choosing some of the more obvious choices that are available. Take a peek at the history.
2013:
- The most desirable names: Rob Chudzinski, Chip Kelly, Andy Reid, and Bruce Arians.
- Bears’ selection: Marc Trestman.
The previous season, Arians was the Coach of the Year. Philadelphia had won five NFC championships under Reid’s direction. Kelly was a brilliant offensive player in college, and Chudzinski had managed Cam Newton’s first two productive seasons. Trestman had spent all of that time in Canada and hadn’t played in the league since 2004.
2015: Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles, Jack Del Rio, and Gary Kubiak were the most popular names.Choose the Bears: John Fox
Quinn has led the NFL’s top defence for the previous two seasons, including a Super Bowl victory in 2013. In just two seasons, Bowles transformed Arizona’s defence into a formidable unit. Both Del Rio and Kubiak were successful head coaches in Jacksonville and Houston, respectively. Denver had just dismissed Fox, who had finished the season 12-4.
2018:
- The most desirable names: Pat Shurmur, Mike Vrabel, Frank Reich, and Matt Patricia.
- Bears’ pick: Matt Nagy.
Patricia was a defensive coordinator who was a multiple Super Bowl winner. In the last one, Reich, who was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator, defeated him. Vrabel had a great reputation inside the league. With a backup quarterback, Shurmur had assisted Minnesota in winning the NFC championship. Nagy had just spent one season in Kansas City as an offensive coordinator.
2022:
- The most popular names: Kevin O’Connell, Brian Daboll, and Doug Pederson.
- Bears’ selection: Matt Eberflus.
With Philadelphia, Pederson was a Super Bowl winner. When Daboll was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, he had assisted in making Josh Allen a superstar. O’Connell oversaw offensive play calling for the reigning champion Rams. Despite having a few good years as a defensive coordinator, Eberflus had no prior experience managing quarterbacks.
There’s no reason to believe that in 2024 things will be any different. Now let’s identify a few names that seem like lock-in choices for the Bears.
These are some names that seem like they belong on the Chicago Bears list.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
The assistant who gets overlooked by his head coach, or the Nagy alternative. In Miami, Mike McDaniel leads that explosive offence, and Smith is his right-hand man. He has never called a play in his nearly 20 years as an offensive line and tight end coach.
Head coach of the Patriots, Bill Belichick
The coach who is obviously beyond his prime, or the Fox alternative. Although Belichick is destined for the Hall of Fame, his charm has faded in New England. Most believe that as he approaches his 70s, he has lost his spark and is unlikely to find it again. Still, he will be hired by one team based only on his reputation and “experience.”
The 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks
The defensive coordinator who uses a talented roster to his advantage, or the Eberflus option. Wilks is making the most of his ideal circumstances in San Francisco, which he inherited. However, past performance indicates that, similar to Eberflus, he is inept when his roster isn’t loaded with stars.
Head coach of the DC Defenders, Reggie Barlow
The moniker from a whole other league, the famous Trestman option. Barlow began his collegiate career at Virginia State and Alabama State. After that, he took over the Defenders in the XFL and won his first season with them, going 9-1. Barlow spent seven years as an NFL player and was the 2002 Super Bowl champion. What a Chicago Bears move that would be.
