Matt Eberflus’ tenure as the head coach of the Chicago Bears came to a crashing halt after a disastrous Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. The Bears traveled to Ford Field in Michigan and hoped to put a break on their five-game losing streak but managed to increase that run somehow, thanks to Eberflus and his last-minute brain-freeze decision.
Eberflus, a former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, was hired to bring discipline and structure to a struggling Bears team. Instead, his reign became synonymous with poor clock management and bad decision-making, culminating in widespread discontent.
Jimmy Johnson Sheds Light on Matt Eberflus’ Thanksgiving Disaster
Jumping on the criticism train was 81-year-old legendary NFL head coach Jimmy Johnson, who went after Eberflus during the Fox postgame show following the Bears’ 23-20 collapse. The Thanksgiving game displayed a dysfunctional and struggling Chicago front under Eberflus.
The team, led by No. 1 overall 2024 NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams, tried to claw its way back from a 16-point deficit, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback. Down by three with two minutes remaining, the Bears had possession, a timeout in hand, and an opportunity to tie or win the game.
Instead, a series of bad decisions led to time running out before Chicago could even attempt a game-tying field goal. The result of the loss wasn’t just frustration but growing anguish for the Bears’ fan base and NFL fans alike.
As a result, just before the public unraveling, NFL Hall of Fame coach Johnson didn’t mince words during Fox’s postgame coverage, criticizing Eberflus for causing the havoc.
“In 70 years of coaching at all three levels, I’ve never seen dysfunction that cost a team an opportunity to win the game,” Johnson said.
He highlighted Eberflus’ failure to take control, pointing out that the coach should have called a timeout to reset the team’s approach. Further on, Johnson elaborated on the chaos, criticizing Eberflus for not properly communicating with his rookie quarterback during the critical moments.
“Sometimes a coach has a coach in the box talking to him about clock management. But when Eberflus saw that they were off track and there was dysfunction, he should have called a timeout. … That was never communicated,” he emphasized.
Fellow analyst Howie Long seconded Johnson’s frustration, with the former Cowboys coach pointing out that Chicago should have attempted a clock-stopping move like an attempted out route to leave enough time for a potential game-tying field goal attempt.
Jimmy Johnson went scorched earth and absolutely lit up Matt Eberflus at halftime of the FOX game. pic.twitter.com/mRMwIobE5N
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) November 28, 2024
After the game, Eberflus attempted to justify his strategy, saying “We’re right there,” via ESPN. This comes after struggling mightily in close contests, posting a 5-17 record in games decided by seven or fewer points.
Chicago’s front office now stands at a crucial crossroads. They are searching for their next head coach, and the organization must find someone capable of managing games, rebuilding trust within a franchise, and capitalizing on young talents like Williams.