The Chicago Bears have looked like a team that is ready to make a big jump in 2024. While the preseason is a dangerous barometer for what can happen in actual games, it’s hard to ignore how sharp the team has looked all month. Their players looked sharper than both the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, two supposed AFC contenders. If nothing else, their depth is far better than it has been in years. Most of the credit for that goes to GM Ryan Poles and the work he’s done on the roster. However, some people have hinted that head coach Matt Eberflus isn’t getting enough respect.
After all, he is the one who has spent the past three off-seasons developing this roster. Their high-intensity, high-effort style comes from his constant message built around his H.I.T.S principle. Players have noticed how strong the locker room culture has become. Kyler Gordon noted as much.
“The way I’ve felt since the day we came in, from the first day, everyone’s just like starving, everyone wants to eat, some type of way, however it is.
The way that we do talk, the way that we positively critique and get on each other, the accountability, the way we hold each other to the standard and stuff like that, we’re on top of it 24/7, really.”
The cornerback isn’t the only one noticing Eberflus’ influence. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds pointed out how the head coach has fostered an environment that lets players be themselves, allowing teammates to connect on a deeper level.
“For me, I trust the individual more, I respect the individual more if you show up as your authentic self. I think we have a lot of guys who what you see is what you get. It’s not like I’m going to show up for this person, I’m going to try to be this person, but behind closed doors I’m this person. Nah. It’s a genuine person. I think when you have a group of genuine people, I think that bond and that energy you feel, it’s going to naturally feel different.”
When he was hired two years ago, all anybody could talk about was that he was a defensive guy. That meant he would likely have no concept of how to develop a quarterback like Justin Fields or now Caleb Williams. Time has shown he’s more than that. Fields may not have reached the full potential he had as a former 1st round pick, but he played much better football towards the end of his time with Eberflus than he did at the start. Even though he coordinates the defense, the man has operated like a head coach in every way possible. The entire team responds to him.
Call him boring if you want. His message has been consistent from the day he arrived. The Bears would be a fast, disciplined, and intense football team. Everybody helps everybody. Players and coaches are held to the same standard. If you don’t meet it, you’re out. At the same time, if you play well and do as instructed, you’re rewarded. Everything about the Bears over the past ten months suggests they have fully bought into Matt Eberflus’ message. He might finally get some well-deserved recognition if things come together as expected.
