Justin Fields is not the only person whose future after 2023 will be carefully evaluated. Matt Eberflus is another. He has been the head coach of the Chicago Bears for 24 games so far. He has a 5-19 record in that span.
That’s the worst winning percentage any coach has ever had in this league. If he can’t get a win in the final ten games of this season, there is a real possibility that GM Ryan Poles will have to find a replacement. This is especially true when they draft a new quarterback.
Is Tyson Bagent the next Brock Purdy? Chicago… It hasn’t gotten there yet, but that doesn’t mean the Poles aren’t preparing for the possibility. A source told SM that GM has a short list of candidates it is tracking if a move beyond Eberflus is needed.
This season, most of the popular names include: Lions OC Ben Johnson, Chargers OC Kellen Moore, Seahawks OC Shane Waldron and Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy. However, another name slipped out that may have received mixed reactions. He is New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Ryan Poles’ interest in O’Brien shouldn’t come as a shock. He served as head coach of the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2020 after a brief stint as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator in 2011. During his run, the Texans made the playoffs four times and won two games. He posted quarterback records held by Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer and Brock Osweiler. Then he got Deshaun Watson in 2017 and made him a Pro Bowler. Unfortunately, his ugly time as GM of the Texans in 2020 was derailed by the trade for DeAndre Hopkins and then an 0-4 start to the season. Since the breakup, she has found success.
He helped Alabama to a national title in 2021 before falling to Georgia. The following year, he ended up taking Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick. This year, he inherited a complete offensive mess in New England, and after a rough start, he was able to revive quarterback Mac Jones.
Not surprisingly, Ryan Poles could be interested. His ability to work with quarterbacks is well documented. He won big in Houston despite some of his controversies. It also shouldn’t be forgotten that he has a connection to New England through former Chief Scott Pioli. He and O’Brien worked together in 2007 and 2008. Keep that in mind when Eberflus comes out in January.
