To anyone who has followed the Chicago Bears this season, it has become no secret that head coach Matt Eberflus tends to fumble his words during press conferences and get lost in his train of thought.
The latest bizarre moment from Eberflus came on Wednesday when he was tasked with providing an update on injured Bears’ starting quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields has missed the past three weeks after suffering a dislocated right thumb injury against the Minnesota Vikings last month. Fields returned to practice in a limited capacity and there was a belief that he would be ready to start tonight’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
While addressing reporters on Wednesday, Eberflus first ruled Fields out despite the injury report listing the quarterback as doubtful. That was where the confusion ensued as the Bears’ beat writer pressed Eberflus for clarification.
It is the year 2023 and a Bears head coach is getting clowned on social media because he wasn’t able to rule his quarterback as a game-time decision. Instead, Eberflus boxed himself into a corner by leading, without being asked, that Fields would be out and Tyson Bagent would start tonight.
This is not the first time that Eberflus has struggled in his conversation with the Bears’ beat writers and it has reached the point where there is clear frustration building from those who cover the team.
The likelihood is that Bagent will still start for the Bears tonight when the Bears play the Panthers. Though, if there is any takeaway from Eberflus’ latest speaking gaffe, it would seem that there will be, at least, one more evaluation for Fields before the game. If Fields is then medically cleared, then perhaps we see a surprise start. If Fields does indeed wind up starting, Eberflus likely will be faced with an unhappy press room after the game.
