The Chicago Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus on Friday, less than 24 hours after a series of mental lapses unfolded in the final 30 seconds of his team’s Thanksgiving Day loss at Detroit.
Eberflus’ sacking followed a meeting with Bears Chairman George McCaskey and team President Kevin Warren, according to General Manager Ryan Poles.
“This morning, after meeting with George and Kevin, we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head coaching position,” Poles said in a statement.
“I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism and dedication to our organization. We extend our gratitude for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
Chicago lost, 23-20, to the Detroit Lions on Thursday in a game that ended in utter confusion.
The Bears had driven into Lions territory and appeared to be in position to kick a tying field goal.
But after a sack with 32 seconds left set Chicago back, the disorganized Bears let almost all of those precious seconds tick off the clock. They ran just one more play — a deep fluttering pass that fell harmlessly incomplete as time expired.
The defeated Bears left the field with an unspent timeout in their pocket, which would have allowed Chicago run multiple plays to possibly tie or win the game.
Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was elevated to interim head coach.
Matthew Mata contributed.