Bears confirm another huge contract with Matt Eberflus not 4 as previously reported

Brad Biggs, who has covered the Chicago Bears for nearly 25 years with a reputation for objective reporting, previously reported in January that Matt Eberflus likely signed a four-year contract. Given Eberflus’ background compared to other recent hires, the report didn’t come as a shock and was well-received by Bears fans.

However, in his mailbag this morning, Biggs retracted this earlier claim, now indicating that Eberflus’ contract is actually a five-year deal running through 2026. Biggs explains, “While I initially thought Eberflus had a four-year contract, I’m now inclined to believe he signed a five-year deal, which aligns with the patience needed for a rebuild.” Biggs noted that when he had directly asked Eberflus about the contract length, Eberflus declined to answer.

This new information could impact the Bears’ plans. Calls for Eberflus’ removal at the end of the 2023 season may have been unrealistic, as Halas Hall was unlikely to consider it with so much time left on his contract. Historically, the Bears have only once fired a coach with more than a year left on his contract—Marc Trestman in 2014, after a disastrous season. The team would need to be in similarly dire circumstances for such a decision with Eberflus.

As the Bears focus on developing Caleb Williams, having the right coach is crucial. While financial factors often weigh on decisions at Halas Hall, Biggs believes money won’t be a deciding factor. However, with Kevin Warren and a revamped front office, it’s uncertain how this leadership may approach the situation.