Bears retain Matt Eberflus, open to stadium in Chicago, QB decision looms: 10 takeaways (2024)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The nearly 65 hours of silence could be a result of the Kevin Warren Effect.

Fans, reporters and Chicago Bears employees all waited for word from Halas Hall. Who stays, who goes — standard end-of-season procedure. Instead of a Monday news conference followed by personnel moves, and instead of anything rash, the Bears’ leaders met. They talked. They planned.

The result came Wednesday — offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was fired, along with wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and assistants Omar Young and Tim Zetts. Head coach Matt Eberflus wasn’t going anywhere.

Eberflus, general manager Ryan Poles and Warren met the media Wednesday afternoon.

“My whole approach to building this franchise, not only from a business operations standpoint, a culture standpoint, a stadium development standpoint, a football operations standpoint, is to make sure that we are extremely deliberate,” Warren said, “that we are fair, that we are good listeners, that we take the long-term approach.”

That deliberate approach likely led to the wait for news and allowed everyone to hear about the direction of the team moving forward.

Live Room: Bears fire OC Luke Getsy, to keep Matt Eberflus

Here are 10 takeaways from our 90 minutes with the Bears’ decision-makers.

1. Eberflus’ leadership impressed

The Bears didn’t need to announce that Eberflus would return for Year 3. He’s under contract. But as time went on, speculation swirled. Could the Bears be bold and make a play for Jim Harbaugh? Would the opportunity to pick a quarterback with the No. 1 pick lead to a new head coach?

Instead, Poles stuck with his guy.

“We had some adversity early in the season, in the middle of the season, his ability to stand strong and keep the team together was incredible,” Poles said. “His ability to adapt and adjust as we went along. He had a sudden change in terms of his role and I thought we benefited from that. I thought we got better from that point.”

Poles used the metaphor that the head coach needs to “captain the ship when seas are stormy,” which he believed Eberflus did during the Bears’ challenges, from a losing streak to coaches leaving (or being asked to leave) to fourth-quarter collapses.

“There’s a reason why we went from three to seven wins,” Poles said. “The player aspect of it is important but also the detail and bringing the team together, sticking through those hard times allowed us to push through, and you saw a lot of those wins happening towards the back end of the season. If it’s not for him, I really don’t think that’s the case. I think it starts to crumble; everyone starts to do their own thing. So to me, that was a critical piece in this.”

Warren likened the situation to his years with the St. Louis Rams, when they won nine games in two seasons but stuck by Dick Vermeil, who led them to the Super Bowl in Year 3.

“You’re not where you want to be, we’re not where we’re going to be, but we’re pointed in the right direction,” he said.

2. Chicago is in play for Bears’ future home

Warren was short on details or tangible updates on the process for a new stadium, but he certainly seems more open to the Bears staying downtown than we may have thought when the team purchased the land at Arlington Park.

When asked if Arlington Heights was still the priority, Warren responded, “The priority is to make sure we build a world-class stadium for our fans.”

The Bears have reportedly done research into the south parking lot area at Soldier Field. Warren didn’t address that specifically but had plenty to say about Chicago.

“What intrigues me about downtown is I strongly believe Chicago is the finest city in all of the world,” he said. “Very rarely do you get the opportunity to have such a beautiful downtown with a vibrant business community, with an absolutely beautiful lake and the energy that goes along.

“I live downtown. I love the city. And I just think we’re blessed to be able to live in a city like Chicago. It has many pluses. I’m a big proponent of the Chicagoland area. I’m a big proponent of Arlington Heights, but there’s something that’s really special about downtown Chicago.”

He did note that the 326 acres in Arlington Heights offer flexibility to do more but wouldn’t let that be a limitation on building in the city.

“I’m one of those individuals that, not only do I look at the glass as half full, I look at the glass as full and as pouring over and there are so many things that we can do together,” he said. “So, absolutely we could build something that would be magnificent downtown.”

3. Justin Fields is still the QB … for now

Similar to last January, Poles ended his opening statement with some thoughts on his quarterback, while acknowledging the decision ahead.

“We are in information-gathering mode right now,” he said. “We are going to turn over every stone to make sure that we are going to make a sound decision for our organization. I did think Justin got better. I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there’s a unique situation where I have to look and our staff has to look at everything. And that’s exactly what we’re gonna do. And that’s the same with free agency. We’re going to look at our free agents, me and my personnel staff, do evaluations and make the best decision we can for this organization to take the next step.”

Poles said he is willing and prepared to take that decision all the way until the draft in late April, but for now, Fields could still be the guy.

“We love where Justin is right now,” Eberflus said. “He’s done a good job growing in the interceptions, keeping those down, the sack totals, he’s doing a good job with that, having his eyes down the field, he’s done a wonderful job with that, of being able to deliver some strikes down there and he’ll continue to grow as we grow as a football team.”

As far as where they still need to see growth, Poles pointed to late-game situations, an area where Fields has struggled since entering the league.

“That’s a critical part that we’ve got to continue to get better at because that’s where you win games and more games, close games and a lot of times when you look at the playoffs and championships, that’s where you close it out,” he said. “That’s one big part.”

4. Eberflus believes Bears have attractive coordinator openings

Despite higher expectations for 2024 and the reality that comes with that for a third-year head coach who has yet to have a .500 record, Eberflus said he believes the Bears can make strong hires for their vacant coordinator positions.

“I think they’re both … very attractive based on the personnel we have and based on the rise of this team,” he said. “And you can certainly see that. The progress and, as we visit with these guys … they’ll be able to see that. They know that. You know we’re always aware of other people’s rosters and where the vision from the team is going, and ours is definitely in a positive way that coaches want to come here and coach.”

Eberflus said the phones were “blowing up” with calls from coaches or intermediaries interested in “highly coveted positions.”

While Eberflus reiterated his love for calling plays, he would not commit to that role for next season. He said the defensive staff has been retained, along with offensive line coach Chris Morgan, tight ends coach Jim Dray and assistant offensive line coach Luke Steckel.

The Bears are keeping Matt Eberflus —and moving on from Luke Getsty and the offense.

What does it mean for Justin Fields and the Bears' future? @ChaseDaniel talked about Chicago's outlook and much more on this episode of "In the Pocket."

Full show: https://t.co/ALahXAj9lf pic.twitter.com/kJyXNfolRw

— Robert Mays (@robertmays) January 11, 2024

5. Optimism for Jaylon Johnson’s return

Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson went from requesting a trade more than two months ago to being in position for a new contract with the Bears.

Johnson finished the season with four interceptions and advanced stats had him as one of the best corners in football.

“I feel really good about that situation,” Poles said. “Jaylon’s not going to go anywhere and we’ll work through it to get something done.”

Things are much different for a fellow 2020 draft pick, receiver Darnell Mooney, who had a frustrating season, one which ended with him missing the final two games with a concussion. Mooney will be a free agent in March.

“I told a lot of the guys that are free agents, we’ll be in contact with them throughout the duration. There are different buckets,” Poles said. “There are guys that will go out and test the market, see what’s out there for them and circle back. Yeah, Mooney wishes he played a little bit better this year and things went better for him, made some more connections. But I know he’s going to bounce back and have a really good year.”

Safety Eddie Jackson has one year left on his contract, but it’s an expensive one for someone entering Year 8.

“I know it didn’t go the way Eddie wanted to, being dinged up a little bit there,” said Poles, who praised Jackson for his work and communication with fellow safety Jaquan Brisker. “When Eddie was in, you could tell Brisker felt really, really comfortable. That whole group, he really impacts the communication. You can really see that.”

6. Positive outlook for tackles

Poles, the former offensive tackle, could have an enviable situation at tackle if he feels good about Braxton Jones heading into 2024. He’ll have two players on rookie contracts at a premium, and expensive, position.

He wouldn’t commit to Jones being the starter, though, as the Bears could be in position to draft (or sign) competition or a replacement.

“I thought Braxton did a good job,” he said. “I was proud of the progress. He did a nice job of continuing to get better. He spent a lot of time with Olin (Kreutz) this offseason just working on his anchor and I thought you saw improvements there.

“I do believe he’s a starting left tackle, but if it comes down to a situation to increase competition and that’s what’s best for us, then we’ll do that. But I’m proud of Braxton.”

As for Darnell Wright, Poles said he feels good about the Bears’ decision to take the right tackle over defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

“Darnell did an outstanding job,” he said. “He continues to work on his technique. Once he closes the technique gap and the consistency of using the right techniques versus the right players … you’re gonna see a really good player. He’s out there right now as a rookie … just using his natural ability. In a lot of games, that was good enough, but there were some games and some reps where it wasn’t good enough, and he’s got to continue to get better.”

7. The ‘Tez Effect’

Poles offered an anecdote about meeting with his bosses after the Bears shipped wide receiver Chase Claypool to Miami. He didn’t mention Claypool by name but said he was “reflecting” on “a trade that didn’t go well for me.”

“We met on that and they both supported me in terms of saying, ‘Keep shooting your shot,’” he said. “And for a decision-maker to have that kind of support is incredible.”

Poles did when he acquired defensive end Montez Sweat, who led the Bears in sacks and sparked the defensive turnaround.

“You want to talk about being a multiplier — a multiplier on the field,” he said. “We were doing exit interviews and talking to our guys throughout the year — he helped that entire defense. When you add players like that, all of a sudden I think you could kind of see everyone had a little more swagger to them.”

Come for the Montez Sweat sack, stay for his dancing🕺

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— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

8. Dexter on the ascent

Poles’ second pick, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, needed a little more time than Wright, and even cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, to show promise. But he finished strong.

“That’s a normal rookie season to me: a guy who maybe was a little quiet early in the season — he was trying to find his way — learning a different technique than what he had in college, kept working, his coaches kept working with him, the vets helped him,” he said. “He started to affect the quarterback more, he started to affect the run more, so I really like his growth process.”

9. Teams calling for Poles’ lieutenants

Assistant GM Ian Cunningham reportedly interviewed with the Washington Commanders on Wednesday and has also been requested by the Los Angeles Chargers, along with co-director of player personnel Jeff King.

“Trying to steal my guy,” Poles said with a grin. “Now I got another one they’re after (King). There’s two things there: one, I’m extremely proud because part of my own deal is that I want to produce as many, as I’m sure (Eberflus) does with head coaches, I want to produce as many GMs in this league as possible. I think that’s a big thing. So I’m proud of them, but at the same time those are big shoes to fill in terms of helping run the front office and get things done in evaluating players.”

Warren saw it as a testament to Poles’ traits as a GM.

“I just like his attention to detail. He is absolutely brilliant, he’s a hard worker, he loves his family, he wants to win, he loves the Bears,” Warren said. “And he wants to do it all and not get any credit. When you get people in the business, that’s why Ian Cunningham is interviewing today — because he’s hired people like that.”

10. Lingering effects of the loss to the Packers

As good as the vibes were at Halas Hall in Weeks 16 and 17, the season ended with a dud in Green Bay, yet another loss to the Packers.

“I’ll be honest: That’s why I wanted to win that game so bad because you kind of felt it from Atlanta and I was really hoping to carry that last game out,” Poles said. “But that’s one of those things you learn. We’re just not there yet, and we’ve got to continue to get to a point where we take that next step and continue to add players and put ourselves in that position. But yeah, I know how much that means to this city and this team, and we’ve got to take the steps necessary to get that done.”

Warren said he left the Packers bag tag on his briefcase from Lambeau as a reminder.

“I wanted to look at it for a couple days and try to still get the dirt and gravel out of my mouth to say, you know, that wasn’t a good taste,” he said. “I even said it on the elevator to a group of people. I said, you know, the plan is we’re not gonna have this feeling anymore.”

(Top photo of Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus: Quinn Harris / Getty Images)

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