Chicago makes a drastic change after a six-game losing streak and questionable late-game decisions.
A Thanksgiving to Forget
The Chicago Bears’ Thanksgiving Day clash with the Detroit Lions will be remembered not for an upset victory, but for a disappointing defeat and a consequential firing. Less than 24 hours after the Bears’ 23-20 loss, reports emerged that head coach Matt Eberflus had been relieved of his duties. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The dismissal comes amidst a six-game losing streak, with the Lions loss serving as the breaking point. Chicago’s hopes for a last-minute win were dashed by clock mismanagement and a chaotic final drive, leaving fans and players in disbelief.
The Final Play That Sealed Eberflus’ Fate
With under a minute left on the clock and the Bears within striking distance, poor decisions turned a potential game-winning scenario into a nightmare. Quarterback Caleb Williams had just connected with Keenan Allen for a 12-yard gain to the Lions’ 13-yard line. However, a penalty for illegal hands to the face pushed the Bears back to the 35-yard line, setting the stage for disaster.
On the ensuing play, a missed snap count left Lions linebacker Za’Darius Smith unblocked, resulting in a six-yard sack on Williams. Instead of using the team’s final timeout, Eberflus opted to conserve it, hoping to buy time for a last-second field goal. The clock ticked away, and the confusion mounted.
“The hope was we could re-rack the play, snap it with about 18 seconds left, throw it into field-goal range and call the timeout,” Eberflus explained postgame. But the execution fell apart, leaving the Bears scrambling for one final play. Williams improvised, calling for a deep shot to Rome Odunze, but the pass fell incomplete as time expired.
Caleb Williams Speaks Out
Despite the chaos, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams refrained from openly criticizing his coach. “We can call a timeout there or we cannot,” Williams said. “My job is just to go out there and make plays. I let the coaches and everybody make that decision — it is their call.”
However, Williams’ diplomatic response couldn’t mask the frustration evident on the field. The Bears’ inability to execute basic game management in a high-pressure moment underscored the deeper issues within the team’s leadership.
A New Chapter for Chicago
Eberflus’ tenure with the Bears ends with a 7-22 record, a stark reflection of the team’s struggles under his leadership. The decision to part ways was expected by many, given the team’s lack of progress and the mounting criticism of Eberflus’ in-game decision-making.
Now, interim head coach Thomas Brown faces the daunting task of salvaging a lost season while providing a glimpse of hope for the future. With young stars like Caleb Williams and a passionate fanbase desperate for change, the Bears must begin the hard work of rebuilding — starting with finding a long-term solution at head coach.
The question remains: can Chicago turn the page, or will this Thanksgiving loss haunt the franchise for seasons to come?
This stunning turn of events has set the stage for a new era in Chicago football, one that Bears fans hope will bring success and stability after years of disappointment.
