The Chicago Bears are a disaster right now. While we’re just four weeks into the 2023 NFL season, it’s clear that changes are coming to this Bears organization.
Head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and general manager Ryan Poles all find themselves on the hot seat, in some regard, following what’s been a brutal two seasons.
Buy Bears TicketsSince the new regime has taken over at the start of the 2022 season, the Bears have gone 3-18 and are riding an active 14-game losing streak — a franchise worst — and are no doubt the worst team in the NFL right now.
Their once promising young quarterback, Justin Fields, has regressed and looks like he might be headed out after this season. Especially if the Bears land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Whether Eberflus, Getsy and/or Poles last for the entire season, one month, two weeks or one game remains to be seen. But we’ll be following along the entire way.
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the coolest and 10 the hottest seat, here’s a look at where Eberflus, Getsy and Poles’ seats stand heading into Week 5.
HC Matt Eberflus
Week 5 heat meter:
The Bears choked away a 21-point lead late in the third quarter to a bad Broncos team, a reminder that this loss falls squarely on the shoulders of Eberflus. It’s been made abundantly clear that Eberflus does not have control of this team, and he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s already lost the locker room, as evidenced by players speaking out and the dejected looks on the sideline. Chicago continues to find new ways to lose every week.
Eberflus is now 3-18 as head coach of the Bears, and his team is riding a 14-game losing streak — a franchise worst — with no end in sight. At this point, it appears impossible for Eberflus to save his job outside of a miraculous comeback that ends with the Bears contending for a playoff spot. (I know, I know. Not happening).
Eberflus’ saving grace is the short week ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Commanders. But if the Bears lose another heartbreaker — with 11 days off before their next game — that could be the time to fire Eberflus.
OC Luke Getsy
Week 5 heat meter:
You have to give it up for Getsy, he called a good game plan for three quarters against the Broncos. It was a big reason why Fields was able to find historic success, by Chicago terms, breaking a franchise record for consecutive completions (16) and throwing for career-highs in passing yards (335) and passing touchdowns (4).
Unfortunately, as they always do, things spiraled out of control. The Broncos adjusted to Getsy’s game plan, and he took the ball out of his best player’s hands when it mattered most. Yes, I’m talking about the fourth-and-1 call with less than three minutes left in the game.
I didn’t have any problem with the call to go for it, especially as your defense was struggling to keep the Broncos out of the end zone at that point. But it was the play call — a handoff to running back Khalil Herbert straight up the middle — that I took issue with. Yes, Herbert had a great game and pulled off some nice runs. But everyone in that stadium knew the ball was going to Herbert. And, instead of putting the ball in Fields’ hands, Getsy got conservative and predictable and it cost them.
GM Ryan Poles
Week 5 heat meter:
While it’s been a complete failure by Bears coaches through these first four games, it all comes back to one thing: This team was assembled by Poles. Poles traded away Roquan Smith and signed the underperforming Tremaine Edmunds. Poles traded the No. 32 pick for Chase Claypool. Poles signed Yannick Ngakoue, Lucas Patrick, Justin Jones, Nate Davis, DeMarcus Walker, etc. — all players who are underperforming.
Then there’s the trickle down effect: Poles hired Eberflus who hired Getsy. If president/CEO Kevin Warren wants to make a statement and gain a little bit of respect back for this organization, he should elect to clean house entirely and bring in a new general manager, head coach and even quarterback.
It remains to be seen whether Poles will get another shot. After all, we’ve seen GMs have multiple head coaches. But Eberflus is a Poles move. This underperforming roster was assembled by Poles. Poles might survive the season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s safe this offseason.
