Chicago Bears: Coaches to pursue who may leave their team in 2021
By Ryan Heckman
2. Matt Eberflus, Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator
This year’s Indianapolis Colts defense has been flying under the radar every single week, and just a couple of weeks ago people started to take them seriously. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is a big reason why they’ve taken such a leap in 2020, and he’d be a phenomenal candidate to replace Matt Nagy next year.
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Eberflus’ start in coaching came all the way back in 1994 when he was an outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator for Toledo. He got his start in the NFL back in 2009 when he became the linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns. Since then, he’s done nothing outside of defense and, primarily, linebackers.
How great of an opportunity would Eberflus consider it to take over a team with guys like Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith at the position he’s been most affiliated with over the years? It seems like a match made in heaven. What he’s done with the Colts defense in just three seasons is nothing short of incredible.
When Eberflus took over, he immediately took the Colts from the league’s 30th ranked defense in 2017 all the way up to the 11th overall defense in 2018. Now, this season, the Colts are the NFL’s fifth-best defense in total yards given up per game while allowing the ninth-fewest points at 23.0 per game.
Bringing him on as the team’s next head coach could work real well, especially if he goes out and gets the right offensive coordinator. This team is clearly built around defense, and hiring a guy he can trust with the offense would be a must.