The Chicago Bears hired Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Thursday to be their head coach.
The move comes roughly 48 hours after the Bears hired Ryan Poles as their new general manager.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Matt become the next head coach of the Chicago Bears,” 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.”
Eberflus had his second interview with the team Wednesday. He beat out Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and two-time former head coach Jim Caldwell, both of whom also had second interviews this week.
NFL Network reported Thursday that Quinn has informed teams that he was returning to Dallas for the 2022 season. Quinn interviewed for six of the nine openings in the NFL.
Eberflus, 51, just finished his fourth season leading the Colts’ defense. He also was a finalist for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head-coaching opening, which has yet to be filled.
Eberflus said in a statement, “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. 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.”
Indianapolis finished 16th in the NFL in total defense (343.2 yards per game) and ninth in scoring defense (21.5 points per game) in 2021. The Colts allowed 21 or fewer points in 31 of his 65 games.
He previously coached the linebackers for the Cleveland Browns (2009-10) and Dallas Cowboys (2011-17). He was the defensive coordinator at Missouri from 2001 to 2008 and was on staff at his alma mater, Toledo, from 1992 to 2000.
This will be his first head-coaching job.
Eberflus replaces Matt Nagy, who was fired along with general manager Ryan Pace on Jan. 10 following a 6-11 season.
–Field Level Media
