The Chicago Bears found themselves back in the loss column after a frustrating 19-13 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. It marked the team’s 15th loss in the last 15 games, and they haven’t won a home game since Sept. 25, 2022.
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.
Since the new regime has taken over at the start of the 2022 season, the Bears have gone 4-19, including a franchise-worse 14-game losing streak.
While there was some optimism after last week’s game, that’s vanished after this brutal loss, along with quarterback Justin Fields suffering a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand that could keep him out for a bit.
Whether Eberflus, Getsy and/or Poles last through 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 7.
HC Matt Eberflus
Week 7 heat meter:
Matt Eberflus had 10 days to get his team ready for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, and this was the product on the field. It was unacceptable — again — for a head coach that is now 4-19 (1.79), still worst in franchise history. Eberflus is the only head coach in franchise history who hasn’t won back-to-back games.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of Eberflus from Sunday’s game was when Cody Whitehair, who struggled with shotgun snaps, was replaced by Lucas Patrick. Instead of just admitting that to the media, Eberflus tried to spin it as being done for rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent, who replaced an injured Justin Fields. It was more of the same from Eberflus, who has repeatedly been non-transparent with the media and has lacked accountability. It’s more evidence why Eberflus isn’t the guy.
At this point, I think we can all agree that Eberflus will be gone after this season. But it certainly feels like Chicago is stuck with him for the next 11 games. Barring something catastrophic.
OC Luke Getsy
Week 7 heat meter:
It’s always one step forward, three steps back with Luke Getsy. After an atrocious first three games this season, Getsy put together some solid game plans for the offense against the Broncos and Commanders. The Bears averaged 34 points per game in the last two weeks. This week, they were held to just 13.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the offense’s struggles against the Vikings. Before exiting the game with a dislocated thumb, Justin Fields wasn’t having a great game. Yes, he was under duress, but he was holding onto the ball too long again. The execution overall was terrible. But Getsy also deserves blame for another poor game plan. It wasn’t his worst game as play caller this season (things have been so much worse), but he failed to put this offense and his quarterback in a position to succeed. And that was with 10 days to prepare after a mini-bye week. Getsy failed to make any adjustments against a Vikings defense that has blitzed at the highest rate this season.
At this point, it’s already a foregone conclusion that Getsy will be gone (along with Eberflus) after this season. But he certainly isn’t helping his case.
GM Ryan Poles
Week 7 heat meter:
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Bears’ brutal effort with 10 days to prepare for the Vikings. While there’s something to be said for Ryan Poles being responsible for the personnel on the field (and Eberflus), he hasn’t done anything egregious that would warrant an early firing. Heck, Ryan Pace even got seven years.
Poles’ biggest mistake was the Chase Claypool trade, which wound up blowing up in his face. But he’s also responsible for plenty of young talent, including DJ Moore, Darnell Wright, Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Gervon Dexter, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith and others.
Poles could still very well get another opportunity to pick a head coach (that’ll be up to president/CEO Kevin Warren). If he does, let’s just hope it’s the right call (looking at you, Ben Johnson).
