6 Bears on Thin Ice Heading Into the NFL Draft
By Randy Gurzi
![Chicago Bears, Khalil Herbert Chicago Bears, Khalil Herbert](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4944,h_2781,x_0,y_117/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01hv99cp1aj6zhaqgmre.jpg)
1. Matt Eberflus, Head Coach
It was a little surprising to see Matt Eberflus retain his job this offseason. One of several coaches believed to be on the chopping block, he's being given a third season to try and turn things around.
Looking at this objectively, it makes sense to keep him in his current position. Teams that cycle through coaches quickly rarely find immediate success and they did see improvement this past season. The Bears were 3-14 during Eberflus' first campaign and 7-10 this past season.
Having said that, they're about to use the No. 1 overall pick on Caleb Williams. The USC product has all the talent to succeed in the NFL but the Bears track record with young quarterbacks is abysmal. That's why there was a belief that Eberflus could be replaced with a more offensive-minded coach.
Instead, Chicago is giving the former defensive coordinator some help in the form of Shane Waldron. The former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator was able to get the most out of Geno Smith — which was a huge surprise after they traded Russell Wilson.
Waldron will work closely with Williams — as will quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph and passing game coordinator Thomas Browns — but it will be Eberflus on the hot seat if he doesn't develop.
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