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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears look on against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on September 29, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A former Chicago Bears head coach is heading back to the NFC after landing a new role with a conference rival.
According to multiple reports, the San Francisco 49ers are adding former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus to their defensive staff. The move comes after a turbulent stretch that included his dismissal in Chicago and a short stint coordinating the defense for the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that the veteran coach will join the 49ers staff under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. While an official title has not been finalized, the role is expected to mirror the high level defensive assistant position the team has used in previous seasons.
The hire represents another opportunity for the longtime defensive coach to rebuild his reputation after a difficult run.
Coaching Reset Comes After Difficult Bears and Cowboys Tenure
The Bears hired Eberflus in 2022 with hopes that his defensive background would help stabilize a rebuilding roster. Instead, the team struggled to gain any traction during his tenure.
Chicago compiled a dreadful 14-32 record under Eberflus before moving on from him midway through the 2024 season.
His time with the franchise was marked by defensive inconsistency, questionable clock management decisions and a series of difficult losses that frustrated fans.
Despite the disappointing results, Eberflus arrived in Chicago with a strong reputation as a defensive strategist. Prior to becoming the Bears head coach, he spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.
During that stretch, Indianapolis experienced one of the league’s more dramatic defensive turnarounds. After ranking near the bottom of the NFL in scoring defense before his arrival, the Colts quickly climbed into the top ten in several categories.
That improvement helped establish Eberflus as a rising coaching candidate and eventually led to his hiring in Chicago.
Matt Eberflus Gets Another Opportunity
While his head coaching tenure with the Bears ended on a disappointing note, Eberflus remains respected around the league for his defensive expertise.
The 49ers appear to value that experience as they continue reshaping their defensive staff. Earlier this offseason, San Francisco hired Morris as defensive coordinator after longtime assistant Robert Saleh left to become head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Adding another experienced defensive voice is consistent with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s recent approach. In recent seasons the 49ers have frequently kept multiple senior defensive assistants on staff to help with game planning and weekly preparation.
For Bears fans, the news serves as a reminder of a turbulent chapter that the franchise has already moved past.
But the Bears no longer have to worry about Eberflus. The Bears are now thriving under Ben Johnson after his first season. They have finally found their long-term head coach.