Brad Biggs, a seasoned reporter with the *Chicago Tribune*, has been covering the Chicago Bears for nearly 25 years. During his tenure, he’s broken several key stories and earned a reputation for his objective reporting. His experience and insight have made him a trusted voice in covering the team over the years.
Brad Biggs noted in a January article that, unlike most recent NFL coaching hires who receive five-year contracts, Matt Eberflus’ contract with the Chicago Bears might have been for only four years. This could indicate the team’s flexibility in evaluating Eberflus’ performance over a shorter time frame.
Given the Bears’ past operations and Matt Eberflus’ less established track record compared to other NFL hires, a four-year contract for him wasn’t unexpected. Many Bears fans were pleased with this shorter deal, as it provides the team with some flexibility in assessing his performance without a long-term commitment.
Brad Biggs has been a highly respected reporter for the *Chicago Tribune*, but like any reporter, he’s not immune to occasional missteps. Despite his solid reputation, not every report is flawless, which is true for any journalist working in a high-profile beat like the NFL. Biggs’ insight into the Bears remains valuable, but no one is perfect when it comes to covering a constantly evolving team like Chicago’s.
In his recent mailbag, Brad Biggs revised his earlier statement and now believes that Matt Eberflus’ contract with the Chicago Bears is actually for five years, not four. This update clarifies his previous assessment, offering a more accurate reflection of Eberflus’ deal with the team.
In his Wednesday morning mailbag, Brad Biggs walked back his earlier statement about Matt Eberflus’ contract. He now believes that Eberflus’ deal is indeed for five years, correcting his previous assumption of a four-year contract. This adjustment provides more clarity on the length of the Bears’ head coach’s commitment with the team.
Brad Biggs clarified in his Wednesday mailbag that he was initially under the impression that Matt Eberflus signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Bears. However, he now believes it is a five-year deal that runs through the 2026 season. Biggs speculated that Eberflus, given the context of a rebuild and the need for patience, likely sought a longer contract. Despite asking Eberflus directly about the deal length when he was hired, the coach declined to comment.
Biggs’ revelation that Matt Eberflus’ contract runs through the 2026 season significantly changes the perspective on his job security. Given the longer deal, it suggests that firing Eberflus after the 2023 season was never a serious consideration for the Bears’ leadership, even if many fans wanted it. The news helps explain the team’s patience with his rebuilding efforts.
The news that Matt Eberflus’ contract runs through 2026 suggests the Bears may be more inclined to retain him beyond this season. Historically, the franchise has only fired a coach with more than one year left on his contract once—when Marc Trestman was let go after two seasons. This history could influence the Bears’ decision-making regarding Eberflus’ future, showing they may be less likely to make a change after just a few seasons.
The 2014 Bears, under Marc Trestman, were a complete disaster, making his firing after two seasons understandable and necessary. For the 2024 Bears to make a similar decision about Matt Eberflus, the team would likely need to be in an equally dire situation, with poor performance and a lack of clear progress. Given Eberflus’ longer contract, it would take a significant collapse for the Bears to consider a coaching change before the end of his deal.
The Bears are at a crucial juncture in their franchise, especially with the potential acquisition of Caleb Williams. Ensuring the right coach for his development is key. While money could play a role in the decision, Biggs suggests it won’t be a major factor. However, given past decisions at Halas Hall, it’s hard to completely rule out its influence on the coaching situation moving forward.
The presence of Kevin Warren and the revamped front office could potentially influence the Bears’ decision-making process regarding coaching and other key matters. Whether this leadership shift will lead to a change in mindset or a more flexible approach remains to be seen. Time will tell how it impacts their future decisions, especially in terms of developing a player like Caleb Williams.
