The 4-8 Chicago Bears began this season with lofty hopes. But head coach Matt Eberflus was fired the day after Thanksgiving following a calamitous 23-20 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions in which he failed to call a much-needed timeout on the team's final possession. Eberflus was 14-32 as the Bears head coach, posting the worst record of any NFL head coach during that same span. 

Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was named the team's interim head coach. The Bears front-office has already opened the search for the full-time coach to the outside. 

The Bears maneuvered themselves into being able to select Southern Cal Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the April 2024 draft.

The Bears had all the pieces on defense last season but struggled with Justin Fields leading the offense. Those struggles cost offensive coordinator Shane Waldron earlier in the season. But that simply meant Eberflus was out of scapegoats. 

With the arrival and quick start of Williams, the Bears raised expectations across Chicagoland and the Midway that this year’s team might earn a playoff spot. If not contend to win the NFC North against the mighty Lions.

But all those hopes collapsed on a chilly and cloudy early Sunday evening in Landover, Maryland. The No. 2 QB taken in the draft, one spot behind Williams, was Jayden Daniels. Another former Heisman winner, Daniels threw a “Hail Mary” pass from his own 35-yard line that bounced off Zach Ertz and landed in the hands of Noah Brown for the winning score.

The Bears haven't won since. losing to the Cardinals, Patriots, Packers, Vikings, and Lions. 

Chicago Bears Next Head Coach Odds

With Eberflus gone, the Bears are looking toward 2025, Bookies.com handicapper Adam Thompson offers these hypothetical odds for who will be the head coach of the Bears next season.

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting apps

2025 Chicago Bears Head Coach Odds: Breakdown

Aaron Glenn +450

Buzz: The Lions are in a win-now-or-else mode. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (more on him in a bit) and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are all but certain to land head coaching jobs next season. Glenn has all the bona-fides necessary to be a head coach. A former cornerback with several NFL teams, Glenn has been an assistant in the NFL since 2014. He'd bring plenty of cred to the Second City. And be automatically boosted by virtue of him leaving a divisional foe. If the Bears hired Glenn and Brown is kept as OC, that would provide continuity for QB Caleb Williams. That is crucial for any QB entering his sophomore NFL season. 

Mike Vrabel +500

Buzz: Mike Vrabel is the prototypical Chicago Bears type player. He was a dominant linebacker with an outsized personality. He failed to keep the Titans on track before he was let go after last season as their head coach. Vrabel owns Super Bowl rings and commands any locker room. But he’s a defensive head coach. And the Bears need to put together an offense that can make a run at the Lions. Vrabel is working this season as a special assistant with the Browns. 

Kellen Moore +650

Buzz: The Eagles are on roll of late, having won 8 straight games ahead of Week 14. Philly is just one game behind Detroit in the race for home-field in the NFC. The Eagles have recovered from their post-Super-Bowl-defeat hangover that dogged them last season. But much of the Eagles' offensive success is tied to the addition of Saquon Barkley. You don't have to be Bill Walsh to figure 

Ben Johnson +750

Buzz: As Lions offensive coordinator since 2022, Ben Johnson (see above) sees his name come up in these situations on a recurring basis. Like Glenn, he’ll be atop everyone’s next coach list if the Lions are able to finally reach the Super Bowl, never mind win it. If the Bears feel that Williams would benefit from someone else running the offense, they won't do much better than Johnson. Johnson helped develop Jared Goff into one of the league's top QBs. His offense leads the NFL in point and is second in yard per game. 

Brian Flores +900

Buzz: Another assistant coach within the NFC North, Brian Flores gives the Bears familiarity with their most intimate foes. Flores was head coach of the Dolphins, but his reign in South Florida crashed and burned at the end. With an OC like Thomas Brown, Flores could muster the Bears defense into a competitive, playoff-ready unit. 

Joe Brady +950

Buzz: As offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, Joe Brady has done a terrific job keeping the Bills among the AFC elite despite some key offensive departures in the offseason, and having to make some key switches at critical positions like running back and tight end. He won't deliver the sort of buzz in Chicago like some of the other names on this list. But he's a solid choice for someone who could help push Caleb Williams to a higher level of performance. 

Marcus Freeman +1000

Buzz: Marcus Freeman has restored the glory in South Bend and has the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the college football playoff. But the Bears play a legit NFL schedule, and don't get to place 2 service academies each season. He's certainly bring the buzz to Lake Forest, having already become a known commodity across the Midwest. 

Bill Belichick +1200

Buzz: Bill Belchick is No. 2 on the NFL’s all-time winningest coach with 333 victories. The Hoodie is just 15 away victories from moving ahead of Don Shula as the NFL’s all-time coaching king. Belichick also holds the record for the most losses by an NFL head coach. No one knows more about and respects NFL history than Belichick. And the Halas-McCaskey Family is NFL royalty. The issue for Belichick would be how much power would ownership give him to build the roster.  

Liam Coen +1400          

Buzz: Baker Mayfield has enjoyed a resurgence as the QB for the Buccaneers these past 2 seasons. The coach primarily responsible for that is Buccaneers OC Liam Coen. The Bucs are 6-6 but have been on a run of late and stand poised to win the NFC South for the 4th consecutive season, and make the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season. 

Thomas Brown +1400

Buzz: As the Bears interim head coach, offensive coordinator, and play-caller Thomas Brown has an inside track. He'll get 5 games to show the players, the front office, and the fans what he can do as a head coach. If Caleb Williams shows demonstrable improvement and voices his support for Brown, that could be key. At least in terms of keeping Brown as OC and bringing a veteran defensive mind like Vrabel.  

The Field +900

Buzz: Does Nick Saban want to coach in the Windy City?