Chicago Bears CEO kevin s are joining forces to find a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired on November 29. Although Warren publicly supported Poles at a recent press conference, it seems that Warren is wielding significant influence in the search for the next head coach.
Given Poles’ recent track record, particularly his role in hiring Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, there’s reason for skepticism within the organization. Waldron, whom Poles helped hire with Eberflus in January 2023, lasted only until Week 10, and Eberflus was let go shortly after.
Eberflus’ hiring itself has been called a major misstep for Poles. According to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, the Indianapolis Colts were planning to fire Eberflus after the 2021 season. Despite his limited interest from other teams for defensive coordinator roles, Poles entrusted him with overseeing the Bears’ rebuilding process. Many league insiders believe that if the Bears hadn’t hired Eberflus, the Colts would have let him go, and Eberflus might have had to settle for a position coach role elsewhere.
The Colts, led by GM Chris Ballard, played a role in this mistake. Ballard, who worked closely with Poles in the past, recommended Eberflus for the Bears’ head coaching job while simultaneously considering firing him from his own defensive coordinator role. Ballard’s connections to the Bears organization, along with the influence of outside consultant Bill Polian—who also has deep ties to Indianapolis—complicated the decision-making process.
Given the missteps in Poles’ hiring decisions, it’s no surprise that Warren may not be willing to let him have full control over the next coaching hire. If Poles can’t be trusted with the coaching search, questions arise about his overall future with the team.
