The Chicago Bears hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as their new head coach, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning.
Former Colts’ defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is being hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2022
Eberflus pairs with new Bears general manager Ryan Poles to create a new power structure atop Chicago’s organization.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and former Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell were also candidates for the Bears’ head coaching job. Quinn will stay with the Cowboys, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning.
Eberflus was hired as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator in 2018 after previously serving as the Cowboys’ linebackers coach from 2011 to 2017. He got his start in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2009 as a linebackers coach.
Eberflus was originally part of Josh McDaniels’ staff with the Colts before the New England Patriots offensive coordinator backed out of his agreement to become Indianapolis’ head coach. Colts head coach Frank Reich kept Eberflus on board.
Indianapolis Colts: Defensive stats and rank since 2018
| Metric | Rank | |
| EPA allowed per play | -0.02 | 14th of 32 |
| Yards allowed per play | 5.5 | 12th of 32 |
| Explosive run play % | 11.30% | 5th of 32 |
| Explosive pass play % | 13.80% | 13th of 32 |
| PFF team defense grade | 83.9 | 7th of 32 |
The Colts’ defense ranked 18th in expected points added (EPA) allowed per play in 2021. The unit ranks 14th league-wide in EPA allowed per play since 2018.
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