The Chicago Bears made unfortunate history this week when they fired their head coach in the middle of a season for the first time in 100 years, canning Matt Eberflus following an unfathomable late-game collapse on Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions.
The 23-20 loss featured inexcusable clock management in the final minute of the game.
Caleb Williams and the Bears offense got off nothing more than a Hail Mary attempt in the final 36 seconds of the game despite being in field goal range and having a timeout that was never used.
Speculation about who will be the team’s next head coach has already commenced, and one candidate has emerged above the rest as the potential solution.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared on Sunday morning that the Bears’ opening should be one of the most coveted in the league this offseason and that the organization will conduct a wide-ranging search that includes Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury as a potential top candidate.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Bears now have a coveted opening, and expect a wide-ranging search. They'll consider all the top candidates, including #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury — whose ties to Caleb Williams are obvious. Plus, #Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown is expected back soon. pic.twitter.com/tYqxwUkjvf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2024
Kingsbury has apparent ties to Caleb Williams, thanks to their time together at USC.
Kingsbury spent last season as a senior offensive analyst, while Williams played quarterback for the Trojans.
The Bears will certainly entertain the usual suspects regarding this coaching search, and it would be silly not to, as Mike Vrabel, Bill Belichick, Aaron Glenn, and Ben Johnson are all certain to see their names thrown into the hat for this opening.
It was clear immediately after the loss that the Bears made the right decision, as multiple players voiced their opinions about Eberflus’ exit.
It’ll be interesting to see who is next in line in Chicago.
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