Bears Rookie Is Exposing Matt Eberflus’ Incompetence With Personnel

There are multiple reasons why Matt Eberflus is on the hot seat. It starts with his team winning six games since he took over almost two years ago. The constant 4th quarter collapses are another, signaling his inability to teach players how to finish. There is also the fact his vaunted defense still ranks among the league’s worst in points allowed. To say nothing of his in-game decision-making from clock management to conservative approach settling for field goals. However, perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of his tenure is his personnel decisions.

Eberflus has a bad tendency to make substitutions at the worst possible times during games. There were a few instances where Montez Sweat and other starters weren’t on the field in crucial situations against Detroit. However, perhaps the most baffling is his unwillingness to put players in positions they are most naturally suited. The most prominent example is Zacch Pickens. The 3rd round pick out of South Carolina has had some nice plays this season, but he’s been largely forgotten.

Some believe this is because the Bears refuse to play him at the position most thought he was drafted to play.

Matt Eberflus refuses to explain his reasoning for this.

All experts said the same thing leading up to the draft this past spring. Pickens’ greatest strength was his quickness and explosion, allowing him to penetrate gaps into the backfield. Todd McShay of ESPN said during the draft, right after the Bears picked him, that he was a perfect 3-technique.

“Matt Eberflus’ defense relies on a good, penetrating 3-technique up the middle, and that’s Pickens. Getting him in the third round is solid value.”

Yet despite this, Pickens remains stuck at nose tackle. He’s done the best he can with that role, helping the Bears produce the #2 run defense in the league. However, it feels as if there are more plays to be made, and Matt Eberflus refuses to give him the opportunities. Gervon Dexter has played well in his time at three-technique, but it feels like he can be an even greater menace at nose tackle.

The responsibility of the head coach is utilizing his talent to their strengths. Eberflus hasn’t done that for quite a few players, but Pickens is one who stands out the most. It won’t be the primary reason he gets fired after the season, but it will be one frequently listed. Given how constant the Bears’ struggles with generating interior pressure has been, this approach lacks common sense.