Matt Eberflus Faces Up to the Pressures
The heat is on Matt Eberflus and he remains unwavering
The Bears head to Washington to face the Commanders with speculation running rampant that he could be coaching his last game Thursday night, although there has been no report sourced, or unsourced, saying his job is in immediate danger.
At 14 straight losses, none it's not necessary and Eberflus realizes the situation he's facing. Eberflus believes he has the backing of ownership, president Kevin Warren and GM Ryan Poles heading into the fifth game with an 0-4 record.
"Yeah I feel the support," Eberflus said. "I haven't talked to anbody about any of those things. I feel the support and we're just focused on Washington."
The realization is speculation comes with the job.
"You know, in this business, I've been doing this 32 years right so I understand the business, but I understand that to do it right you've got to focus on your job and you've got to focus right here, right now," Eberflus said after Wednesday's practice. "So you can think about a lot of different things that's going to do nobody good, and you fous on your job of where your feet are right now and my sole focus is on Washington."
DOES ALBERT BREER THINK THE BEARS WILL FIRE MATT EBERFLUS?
Personally, Eberflus said he is no different than the face he is showing to the team and the public.
"Just be more determined, more focused, more determined, making sure that we're focused and we're laser-like in terms of our preparation," Eberflus said. "And that's all I know. That's all you can do.
"You can do it one practice at a time, one rep at a time and it will crack. That's in our preparation, that's in our focus and that's in our determination."
NFL COACHES NEED TO BE SELECTED DIFFERENTLY
The Bears gutted the roster last year for salary cap purposes, and went on to lose their last 10 last year. They returned with 10 starters not on the 2022 roster and just 11 players who were on the roster under former GM Ryan Pace.
"Yeah, I think I've stated it many times: We have a bunch of new guys here and bringing them together is a big piece of it, and we're in the process of that," Eberflus said. "And I certainly feel that we took a big step in the right direction last week."
The Bears lost 31-28 to Denver, which had lost 70-20 the week earlier to Miami.
Saying he's maintaining "laser-like" focus on Washington, Eberflus is still coaching despite the longest losing streak in franchise history. It's tied for 19th among losing streaks in NFL history.
"I don't see it as a challenge," Eberflus said. "I see it as really being a servant leader. You're there to help everybody else and I think that's the important part of this job to be able to guide and direct and we're in the process of that."
The Bears have never fired a coach during the season.
Coaches with 14 Straight Losses or More
Super Bowl Era
26 Games
John McKay 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Retained.
17 Games
Hue Jackson, 2016-17 Cleveland Browns. Retained for 2018 season.
Rod Marinelli, 2007-08 Detroit Lions. Fired after season.
16 Games
Bill Peterson, 1972-73 Houston Oilers. Fired during 1973 season.
Chuck Noll, 1969-70 Pittsburgh Steelers. Retained.
15 Games
Doug Marrone, 2020-21 Jacksonville Jaguars. Fired after season.
George Seifert, 2001 Carolina Panthers. Fired after season.
14 Games
Matt Eberflus, 2022-23 BEARS, still coaching
Hue Jackson, 2016 Cleveland Browns. Retained.
Mike McCormack, 1981 Baltimore Colts. Fired after season.
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