Whether people want to admit it or not, the next Chicago Bears head coaching search will revolve around Caleb Williams. His success is paramount for this franchise. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league. It has been way too long for the Bears to adopt that modern thinking. Finding the right coach to cultivate Williams is a must. However, simply picking a guy with an offensive background isn’t some magic solution. It must be somebody who can mesh with Williams’ personality and get on the same page with him. That always seemed to be a problem with Matt Eberflus.
At his latest presser, the rookie was asked what his preferences are in a head coach. He stated he wants somebody willing to challenge him and his teammates, someone who can instill discipline in how the team operates, and someone who keeps his word in everything he does.
In fact, he seems to echo the sentiment from the locker room. Adam Hoge of CHGO mentioned on his Hoge & Jahns podcast that many Bears players “crave” discipline. This has popped up at times during the season, with some, like Cole Kmet, mentioning how certain guys weren’t putting in the work necessary. For all the talk from Eberflus about working hard and having intensity, it seems as if he wasn’t quite able to convey the message to players as he needed to. Caleb Williams doesn’t lack a work ethic. However, he knows even great players need to get pushed if they’re going to achieve their full potential. It was true of Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and others.
The Bears can’t just focus on an offensive mastermind. They must find somebody who is willing to be the adult in the room. Eberflus wasn’t up to that task. Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles must put their egos aside to find one.
