The Chicago Bears haven’t offered any clear indications on what they plan to do with Matt Eberflus. Most believe the head coach will return for a third season, likely with staff changes. However, the presence of new team president Kevin Warren makes this entire situation challenging to predict. He had no say in Eberflus’ hiring. Insiders have hinted for months that he may wish to put his own stamp on the organization in some way. Firing GM Ryan Poles is out of the question. That leaves the head coach. The only issue is whether he can find somebody who’d be a clear upgrade.
Warren may wish to take a big swing but wanted to see if anybody of note might become available. Everybody keeps pointing to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. That is certainly one option. Well, now there is another. The Tennessee Titans stunned the football world when they parted ways with head coach Mike Vrabel after six seasons. Despite taking the team to the playoffs three times, two down years in 2022 and 2023 convinced ownership to move on. Most don’t blame Vrabel for that, feeling he got a raw deal due to roster mismanagement from former GM Jon Robinson.
Just spoke to Derrick Henry over the phone, "Wow. Wow. I'm shocked. Coach Vrabel is a leader of men. He is a great coach and teacher. I know he will get another opportunity right away. I look forward to it."
Vrabel has a far more proven track record than Matt Eberflus.
He’s proven several times that he has his teams prepared, makes good decisions during games and gets top-shelf execution against strong opponents. He was undone by a declining roster and quarterback issues. Even so, he got a Pro Bowl out of Ryan Tannehill in 2019 and did some decent work with rookie Will Levis this season. The Bears have to know they would be an attractive destination. They have a young, ascending roster already in place. Even more important is they hold the #1 pick. Vrabel would get a chance to pick any quarterback he wants in the 2024 draft.
Warren was Big Ten commissioner. Vrabel is an Ohio State alum, so there are some connections there. One of Poles’ biggest mentors was Scott Pioli, who was director of player personnel in New England in 2001 when they acquired Vrabel as a free agent. Then, when he became GM of the Chiefs in 2009, he traded for Vrabel. It’s safe to say the two have a strong relationship. That could go a long way in giving the Bears a chance to land him if they decide to move on from Matt Eberflus.
