Bears Head Coach’s Post-Game Explanation Draws Laughs and Backlash After Thanksgiving Loss

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus might not be laughing, but everyone else is after his baffling explanation for why he didn’t use a timeout in the final seconds of the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Bears had a chance to force overtime, but Eberflus’ decision to hold onto the final timeout as the clock wound down was a move that had fans scratching their heads and firing up the social media.

A Shocking Decision in Crunch Time

The game’s ending was one for the books. With just under 40 seconds left and the Bears in striking distance of a potential game-tying field goal, Eberflus had one timeout left to use but opted not to call it. The result? Time ran out as the Bears rushed a final play, ending any hope of a comeback and sending the Lions to their 11th win of the season.

But instead of owning up to the mishap, Eberflus stood firm. “I like what we did there,” he declared confidently postgame. “I think we handled it the right way.”

The “Brilliant” Plan That Didn’t Work Out

Eberflus explained his rationale for keeping the timeout in his back pocket, and his justification had fans—and probably some Bears players—scratching their heads. “We were there at 2nd and 20, take the sack right there,” he said. “So we’re at 36 seconds. Our hope was, because it was 3rd going into 4th, that we would re-rack that play at 18 seconds, throw it inbounds, get into field goal range, and then call a timeout.”

The only problem? The Bears didn’t manage to make the necessary yardage, and time ran out before they could even try for a game-tying field goal. Eberflus’ “plan” had failed in spectacular fashion, leaving the Bears with no opportunity to salvage the game.

Fans Aren’t Buying the Excuse

As soon as Eberflus’ comments made the rounds, the backlash from Bears fans was swift and unforgiving. On social media, users were not shy in expressing their frustration with the coach’s postgame stance. “Denial is tough on Thanksgiving,” one user quipped on Instagram. Another fan joked, “Yeah you fired brotha. Key card will be deactivated.”

Some were even harsher, with one fan stating, “Handled well, if you want to lose the game,” while others suggested the coach should be removed from the team plane home.

The general consensus was clear: Eberflus’ defense of his decision wasn’t fooling anyone.

Bears in Crisis Mode

After their sixth consecutive loss, the Bears are now sitting at a dismal 4-8 record and languishing at the bottom of the NFC North. As Chicago’s season continues to unravel, Eberflus’ clock management debacle will likely remain one of the defining moments of his tenure as head coach, especially if the Bears decide it’s time for a change.

Whether or not Eberflus will be around to lead the team through the rest of the season is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure—the comedy surrounding his time management skills is far from over.