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Matt Eberflus Refuses to Give Up One Element of Coaching for Next Season

The 53-year-old head coach will continue to call plays on defense despite the team hiring a new defensive coordinator last month.

By Jovan Alford

Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reacts
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reacts / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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The Chicago Bears decided to keep head coach Matt Eberflus for another season despite changes at offensive and defensive coordinator. Eberflus was the play caller on the defensive side starting in Week 3 this season after defensive coordinator Alan Williams shockingly resigned.

The Bears hired former Buffalo Bills defensive line coach/assistant coach Eric Washington last month to become the new defensive coordinator. 

Bears News: Matt Eberflus Keeps Play Calling Duties on Defense

However, he won’t make the calls from the sidelines this upcoming season. Eberflus told reporters Thursday that he will remain Chicago’s play caller on defense, per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

It’s not surprising to see Eberflus keeping his role as the play caller, as the Bears’ defense showed some promise in the second half of the 2023 season with Montez Sweat. In the final seven games, the Bears forced 19 turnovers and held opponents to 17.7 points per game. It was a drastic improvement from the start of the regular season.

That being said, the Bears’ defense and entire team will need to come out on fire to start the 2024 season, as the 53-year-old Eberflus is likely coaching for his job. The Bears are longshots to win the Super Bowl next season (+5000 on FanDuel Sportsbook). However, the NFC North crown isn’t out of the question for the Bears, especially if the defense can play as they did late last season and make a couple more additions this offseason.

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