Matt Eberflus is teetering on the edge. After two gutwrenching last-second losses in the past month, people are questioning his competence as Chicago Bears head coach from every angle. Dropping to 4-6 after starting 4-2 will do that. It doesn’t help that he’s earning a reputation for choking games away and can’t beat good teams. Barring an unexpected turnaround to end the season, the odds of him being fired have hit an all-time high. This, of course, leads to the next question.
Who replaces him?
Eyes are already turning to the 2025 coaching cycle, where names like Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Bill Belichick, and Kliff Kingsbury figure to dominate headlines. SM reported that the Bears have already begun vetting those names and others in the past few weeks. However, one source indicated an undercurrent of intrigue in Halas Hall for someone close at hand.
That is new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
Since taking over, players seem to have responded to his energy, intensity, and discipline. This was felt almost immediately on Sunday when the Bears racked up nearly 400 yards of offense and drove down the field to get in position for the winning field goal. Caleb Williams looked much calmer and more confident. Guys in the locker room clearly respond to Brown, validating the whispers around the league that he is a head coach in waiting. Keep in mind he’s worked under several different head coaches since 2011 and was an understudy of Sean McVay in Los Angeles. McVay has already produced three highly successful future head coaches: Matt Lafleur, Kevin O’Connell, and Zac Taylor.
Many see similarities between Brown and Pittsburgh Steelers mainstay Mike Tomlin. Don’t forget Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren worked with Tomlin in Minnesota. Would the team actually consider promoting from within rather than conducting another coaching search?
This is something the organization hasn’t done in 53 years. The last one was Abe Gibron in 1972. He ended up having the worst winning percentage in franchise history. After that, it was strictly outside sources. It sounds like the higher-ups will keep a close eye on Brown over the final seven weeks. He may get an opportunity to break that drought, depending on his performance.
