The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have one of the most attractive coaching vacancies in the NFL right now, with the defensive coordinator position up for grabs.
That’s reflected in the list of top candidates for the job, as well as in the interviews the team has already set up.
And it’s especially evident with former head coach Matt Eberflus entering the conversation, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: “Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is involved in the #Bengals defensive coordinator search, per sources.”
Eberflus flamed out badly as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2022-2024, but two things apply: Most do in Chicago and that isn’t an indictment on his skills as a coordinator.
One of the top defensive minds in the NFL, Eberflus got his start at the pro level as a positional coach in 2009 and, from 2018-2021, turned an Indianapolis defense from a bottom unit to a top-10 performer with a strong culture of accountability.
The Bengals can’t waste time on developmental coaches lacking experience right now as they sit in win-now mode after a failed season despite historic offensive output.
Written another way, Eberflus might be the top guy for the job.
