Da Bears have a new head football coach.
The Chicago Bears are working to hire Matt Eberflus as their next head coach, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source informed of the decision. The team later announced the hiring.
"I couldn't be more excited to have Matt become the next head coach of the Chicago Bears," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said in a statement. "His experience, passion, character and attention to detail made him the right man for both the job and the culture we intend to establish here at Halas Hall. Throughout the search, Matt impressed me when detailing his vision and plan for our team. We look forward to getting to work and assembling a top-notch staff and roster that will help us consistently compete for championships."
The 51-year-old has spent the past four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts after stints as linebackers coach in Dallas and Cleveland.
"I would like to thank Ryan and the McCaskey family for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the Chicago Bears, one of the most storied franchises in all of sports in one of the greatest cities in the world," Eberflus said in a statement. "I am truly humbled and honored to be named your head coach and together we will do everything in our power to bring a Super Bowl championship back to Chicago."
Indy sported a top-10 scoring and total defense in four years with Eberflus running the show and ranked fourth in rushing yards allowed and second in takeaways per game.
The Bears considered hiring former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell and Cowboys DC Dan Quinn before ultimately landing on Eberflus.
Eberflus becomes the second new coach to secure a head coaching gig Thursday. Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is set to lead the Denver Broncos. The dominoes leave seven coaching vacancies.
Eberflus takes over after Matt Nagy was fired following the 2021 season after Chicago netted a 6-11 record.
The Bears sported a solid defense last season and have the pieces for Eberflus to work with in star linebackers Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith.
The big question for the first-time coach will be on the offensive side of the ball, where the Bears struggled mightily under Nagy. With quarterback Justin Fields flashing raw potential during his rookie campaign, who Eberflus taps as offensive coordinator will be his first big decision in the new chair.
Rapoport noted Thursday that Eagles passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo is a name to watch at OC for Chicago.
