All season long the Chicago Bears were consistent.
Not on the field, and by a long shot in that regard. But their approach and attitude in the locker room remained the same throughout what was an admittedly trying season. That?s why their decision to bring back head coach Matt Eberflus ? but part with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and quarterback coach Andrew Janocko ? is far from surprising. You just had to listen.
Bears Players’ Buy-In May Have Saved Matt Eberflus, Cost Luke Getsy
Matt Eberflus’s Hold on Bears’ Locker Room Likely Facilitated Change
It?s not a stretch to say that the buy-in was there even when the results seemed like only distant possibilities. It was evident in players like Jaquan Brisker?s often-uttered mindset of ?being where my feet are?. Or when quarterback Justin Fields talked about the ?200? standard Eberflus laid out for him ? 200 passing yards, zero turnovers, zero sacks.
He didn’t reach those markers often enough. He finished the season with seven 200-yard passing games, six games without an interception, and zero games without taking at least one sack. The Bears’ offense took steps forward, ranking 18th in points and 20th in yards this season. But that progress, the front office has deemed, was a larger byproduct of talent than the direction it was given.
Still, players heeded Eberflus? message even when the outside openly questioned it.
Right down to the end of the season when, despite still having a mixed bag of success even during their uptrend, players commended the head coach?s steadiness.
Then came General Manager Ryan Poles? endorsement of that last point ahead of the Bears? Week 18 loss to the Green Bay Packers. It was arguably the worst time for such a statement, given how the team performed in that game.
But, even in the aftermath, Eberflus ? whose strategy was called out by players in the media ? received commendations for being open-minded and willing to adapt.
He flexed that latter point after the trade acquisition of Montez Sweat and the secondary getting healthy. Sweat, for one, gave an emphatic ?I love Flus? during his end-of-season availability in the Bears locker room on January 8. The defense?s turnaround only bolstered what Eberflus already began building: culture. It is often mocked due to the lackluster results.
Eberflus is 10-24 as the Bears head coach and has had to dismiss several staff members in his two years at the helm.
That first season — the one during which the front office actively tore the roster down to the studs — aside, he is 7-10 this season, meaning his team more than doubled its win total despite the offense never really clicking. The defense finished ranked 20th in points and 12th in yards on the season. But they were among the best units in the league following the acquisition of Sweat.
The Bears? Most Important Hire
Getsy?s departure doesn?t signal the Bears? intentions either way on Fields. It could be a strong indicator that the soon-to-be fourth-year passer will have his third offensive coordinator, though.
That doesn?t mean it has to be a rocky transition, though.
The Bears will likely have to choose from a list of out-of-work coordinators/coaches and position coaches. Many if not all of the top current offensive coordinators will likely be top head coaching candidates. Those who don?t could very well return to a familiar situation rather than risk it under a potential outgoing head coach.
Eberflus still has one year left on his contract barring an offseason extension.
All of that combines to potentially make this the single most important personnel decision this offseason. Should the Bears pass on a quarterback, then the new offensive coordinator has to align with whatever vision the front office has for Fields as well as a potential replacement with his future still uncertain even if he is back next season.
This is also a key decision by Poles. All three of him, Eberflus, and Fields would seem to need this next hire to be the best hire. Ironically, getting that decision right could spell trouble for Eberflus down the line if the team falters. But that is a bridge the Bears would happily cross down the road. It would almost certainly mean they?ve had offensive success if nothing else.
Bears Risking Repeating Vicious Cycle
With a sordid history at offensive coordinator, the Bears have not earned the benefit of the doubt. They need this to pay off and in a big way. Again, even if they move on from Fields, the right offensive mind can make for an easier transition to the league.
The players, to a man, have voiced support for Fields throughout the season. They have also carefully described their thoughts on Getsy, though he and Fields have been complimentary of each other when asked.
Wide receiver DJ Moore, one of Fields? biggest supporters, has noted the need to keep attacking down the field. Even Eberflus noted they did not do that often enough this past season. It was especially damning considering the progress the offense seemed to make in the second half of last season.
A repeat performance from that side of the ball despite improved talent was Getsy?s downfall.
The Bears’ biggest mistake may have been entrusting the position coach of an already-established quarterback to develop their raw but talented one. Now they are faced with the very real possibility of every key piece of their organization being on different timelines.
That has yet to work out, specifically when it comes to this franchise over its history. Those running the show ? and fans ? had better hope they get it right this time. They still have work to do on the roster in addition to finding a new voice for the offense.
