The Chicago Bears are finalizing a contract to make Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus their next head coach, multiple outlets reported Thursday.
The move comes roughly 48 hours after the Bears hired Ryan Poles as their new general manager.
Eberflus had his second interview with the team Wednesday. He beat out Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and two-time former head coach Jim Caldwell, both of whom also had second interviews this week.
NFL Network reported Thursday that Quinn has informed teams that he’s returning to Dallas for the 2022 season. Quinn interviewed for six of the nine openings in the NFL.
Eberflus, 51, just finished his fourth season leading the Colts’ defense. He also was a finalist for the Jacksonville opening, which has yet to be filled.
Indianapolis finished 16th in the NFL in total defense (343.2 yards per game) and ninth in scoring defense (21.5 points per game) in 2021. The Colts allowed 21 or fewer points in 31 of his 65 games.
He previously coached the linebackers for the Cleveland Browns (2009-10) and Dallas Cowboys (2011-17). He was the defensive coordinator at Missouri from 2001-08 and was on staff at his alma mater, Toledo, from 1992-2000.
This will be his first head coaching job.
Eberflus replaces Matt Nagy, who was fired along with general manager Ryan Pace on Jan. 10 following a 6-11 season.
–Field Level Media