The Chicago Bears have taken a surprising step in their disappointing season, which has now lasted 105 years since the NFL’s inception. On Black Friday, they decided to search for a new head coach after a disappointing campaign.

The team let go of Matt Eberflus, marking the first time in the team’s history that they made a change to the head coaching position during the season. Thomas Brown, who recently became the offensive coordinator after Eberflus fired Shane Waldron earlier this month, has stepped up to take charge.

“This morning, after discussions with chairman George McCaskey and president and CEO Kevin Warren, we informed Matt of our decision to change the leadership of our football team and the head coach,” said general manager Ryan Poles in a statement.

“I want to thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism, and dedication to our organization. We appreciate his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best in the future.”

This decision came after what many consider the Bears’ worst loss during their current six-game losing streak, a tight 23-20 defeat against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. After trailing 23-7 in the fourth quarter, the Bears managed to close the gap, but critical decisions late in the game ultimately cost them.

During the game’s final moments, rookies faced a pivotal situation where quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked just outside field goal range, leaving the team without enough time to properly execute their next play. Eberflus chose not to call a timeout, which many viewed as a crucial misstep.

“As the head coach, I take full responsibility for what happened,” Eberflus stated after the game. “Success starts at the top, and I acknowledge my role in this outcome. The team fought hard and placed themselves in a good position but there were mistakes that ultimately cost us.”

“We’re very close to achieving what we want, but we need to execute better and avoid mistakes. Accountability starts with me.”

Eberflus had previously expressed confidence in maintaining his job while preparing for the upcoming game against San Francisco.

Unfortunately, his tenure concluded with a disappointing 14-32 record over more than two seasons, failing to secure a playoff appearance. He becomes one of three coaches this season to be let go, joining Robert Saleh of the New York Jets and Dennis Allen of the New Orleans Saints.

Despite a disappointing season, the Bears, currently 4-8, have a chance to attract strong candidates for the head coach position. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has shown potential but hasn’t performed consistently, unlike other first-year quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels or Bo Nix. The Bears had bolstered the lineup with new players, yet the coaching staff struggled to guide the young team. Opting not to hire an experienced backup quarterback has also faced scrutiny.

The season began with promise as the team started 4-2, but following a loss to the Commanders on October 27, the team rapidly descended into a losing streak that proved too severe for Eberflus to recover from.

Although Thomas Brown’s promotion hasn’t yet resulted in wins, he may receive serious consideration for Eberflus’ permanent role. The offense has shown improvement since Waldron’s departure, averaging 22 points and 363.3 yards in the last three games.

“I fully support Ryan and the decision made this morning. We recognize the critical importance of the head coach in maintaining a winning team and in guiding our players and organization,” said Warren.

“Our supporters have remained steadfast through various challenges, and they deserve better outcomes. Our structure and commitment are strong and focused as we move ahead.”