The Bears explain Matt Eberflus’ awkward press conference that took place hours before he was fired and announce coaching changes

The Chicago Bears endured the long Thanksgiving weekend without a permanent head coach after Matt Eberflus was fired on Friday. On Monday, the team’s leadership confronted the media with statements, promises and some coaching changes.

The Bears’ main statement Monday afternoon referred to the confusing hours leading up to Eberflus’ firing Friday. The morning after the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, in which Eberflus’ poor decision-making and play proved to once again hurt the team, Eberflus met with the media.

It was an awkward press that got even more awkward a few hours later when the Bears fired Eberflus, marking the first time in franchise history that they fired an in-season head coach.

Having Eberflus face the media shortly before his firing seemed a bit cruel, but team president Kevin Warren said Monday that his intention was the opposite – Bears leadership was still discussing Eberflus’ future at the time of the media session, and Warren wanted to Eberflus gave up the opportunity to tell his family before the news leaked to the media.

Despite the kindness of asking Eberflus to tell his family about his firing, Warren failed to explain why team leadership was still meeting about Eberflus at that point and why that conversation continued for several hours past the end of the press conference. This paints a less than stellar picture of the Bears’ decision-makers, who were repeatedly shown that things didn’t work out with Eberflus, but still didn’t fire him.

One of those decision makers, general manager Ryan Poles, will be responsible for hiring the new head coach. Warren said Monday that his confidence in Poles “remains strong” and he believes the Bears will find the right person.

Warren was less candid about QB Caleb Williams’ role in the upcoming head coaching search. Warren didn’t want to give Williams any influence on the decision, but said a major part of any interview will be discussing the future plan for Williams.

Thomas Brown announces coaching change

Interim head coach Thomas Brown, who was promoted from offensive coordinator over the weekend to replace the fired Eberflus, announced the changes to his current coaching staff, starting with the promotion of Chris Beatty from wide receivers coach to interim offensive coordinator. Brown will still call the plays, but stressed (as he did when he was promoted to interim OC earlier this season following the firing of Shane Waldron): “It’s not a one-man show. It’s not about me.”

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington will take charge of defensive play, while special teams coordinator Richard Hightower remains in his position.

The Bears’ first game with Brown as head coach is Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.