The Chicago Bears made a bold move on Tuesday, firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in a bid to salvage what remains of the 2024 season. The decision was aimed at trying to right the ship for the franchise and do justice to the development of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. However, it also casts a glaring spotlight on head coach Matt Eberflus and his increasingly shaky leadership of the team.
Shane Waldron is now the second offensive coordinator hired by Eberflus to be let go during his tenure. Less than a year ago, Luke Getsy was also shown the door, meaning that Eberflus has fired his chosen OC not once, but twice, in the span of just one calendar year.
To add to the embarrassment, Getsy was rehired and then fired again by the Las Vegas Raiders within the same stretch, further highlighting the instability surrounding the Bears’ coaching decisions.
The firing of Waldron seems like a desperate, last-ditch effort to turn things around for the Bears, who have struggled mightily throughout the season. Fans are taking notice, and they are not holding back in their criticism of Eberflus.
Many believe this latest move is yet another example of Eberflus’ poor decision-making and inability to effectively lead the team. As the Bears continue to stumble through the season, frustration is mounting, with Eberflus’ tenure increasingly defined by a lack of progress and a revolving door of coaching staff changes.
The firing has sparked a flurry of reactions from fans and analysts alike, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and dismay.
The sentiment is clear—this latest move is seen as too little, too late. Eberflus, now in his third year as head coach, has failed to show significant improvement, and his constant need to replace key staff members has only added to the perception that the team lacks direction and cohesion.
Here’s a sampling of the sentiments circulating following the big news of the day for Chicago:
- “How many OCs does Eberflus need to fire before realizing the problem might be him?”
- “Another year, another offensive coordinator fired. At some point, it’s not just the coaches—it’s the head coach.”
- “Caleb Williams deserves better. The Bears are setting him up to fail with this revolving door of coordinators.”
- “Eberflus is running out of excuses. This is getting embarrassing.”
Eberflus’ record as the head coach of the Bears now stands at 14-29 following Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. With the Bears seemingly headed for a third consecutive season finishing at the bottom of the NFC North, the pressure on Eberflus is only intensifying. Unless the Bears show significant improvement over the final eight weeks of the season, Eberflus will undoubtedly have a target on his back.
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The stakes could not be higher for the remaining games. The Bears brought in Caleb Williams with the hope that he could be the franchise quarterback to turn things around, but without stability in the coaching ranks, his development is at serious risk.
The constant changes at offensive coordinator are hardly ideal for a young quarterback trying to find his footing in the NFL, and the instability within the coaching staff is reflective of a larger issue that Eberflus has yet to solve.
The Bears have a proud history and a passionate fan base, but the past few seasons have been defined by disappointment and unmet expectations. Eberflus was brought in to change the culture and lead the team back to prominence, but instead, his tenure has been marked by inconsistency and questionable decision-making.
The firing of Shane Waldron may be an attempt to jumpstart the offense and save the season, but for many, it feels like a band-aid on a much larger wound.
The final stretch of the season will be critical for Eberflus. If the Bears continue to struggle and end up at the bottom of the standings once again, it may be the end of the road for Eberflus as head coach.
For now, all eyes are on Chicago to see if this latest move can bring about any meaningful change, or if it will simply be another chapter in a season filled with frustration and failure.
