Vegas Odds Of Matt Eberflus Being Fired Just Shifted Dramatically
Following the victory in London to reach 4-2, the Chicago Bears were in a great spot. They headed into the bye week with momentum and had a chance to get healthy before a huge road showdown with the surging Washington Commanders. Nobody at the time would’ve considered firing Matt Eberflus. For all his faults, he had the team playing good football, especially on defense. Caleb Williams was developing at quarterback. Things were progressing as hoped. It is incredible to think things could fall apart so fast.
A series of bad 4th quarter decisions helped the Commanders steal what would’ve been a comeback victory. Eberflus drew heat for his poor defensive calls, and lack of situational awareness of the Hail Mary play. Then, last Sunday, his team looked flat and unprepared against the Arizona Cardinals, leading to a humiliating 29-9 defeat. Calls for Eberflus’ head went through the roof. People have begun to realize he has too many flaws as a coach to believe he can win big games. BetOnline released new odds for the next head coach to be fired after Dennis Allen was dismissed this week.
Eberflus went from a distant 25-1 to 2-1, second-best on the list.
Matt Eberflus faces a do-or-die situation on Sunday.
The NFC North looms on the horizon. If the Bears can’t beat the New England Patriots this weekend, which are one of the worst teams in the NFL, it will be a death blow to Eberflus’ status as head coach. Losing on the road to a pair of hot teams is one thing. Losing at home to a team far less talented with a rookie quarterback would be inexcusable. Chicago has never fired a go midseason before. There is no reason to think that trend changes. Marc Trestman experienced far lower moments in 2014 and still kept his job to the end.
It would be dramatically out of character if Matt Eberflus were fired before January, especially when he still has the full backing of GM Ryan Poles. The move would have to come from George McCaskey up top. He’s never been known for impulsive decision-making, for better or worse. Then again, his hand could be forced. Rumblings continue to increase that players aren’t happy with the coaching situation. If things progress to a possible full-blown mutiny, a firing might be the only recourse.