Matt Eberflus gives astonishing response to timeout error that caused Chicago Bears loss to Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus appeared to blame quarterback Caleb Williams for the way the final moments of the team’s loss to the Detroit Lions unfolded, despite refusing to call a timeout that could have ended the game to rescue.

The Bears had the ball in Lions territory late in the game with a chance to drive for a field goal or a go-ahead touchdown, but they squandered the opportunity before losing 23-20 – their sixth loss in a row .

Caleb Williams threw an incomplete pass as time expired at the Detroit 41 after being sacked with about 30 seconds left, with the team running time off the clock even though Chicago still had a timeout.

The Bears tried to organize their formation after Williams was fired, despite Eberflus having a chance to stop the clock.

“We take the bag there and so we’re at 36 seconds,” Eberflus said. “And our hope was that because it was third down when we went up, we would throw that play at 18 seconds, throw it in bounds and get in field goal range and call the timeout.

“That was our decision-making process on that. We were out of field goal range, so we had to get a few more yards, as close as we could, and then we would call a timeout.

Eberflus appeared to gently criticize quarterback Caleb Williams for the loss to Detroit

“That’s why we had that last timeout at the end of the game. Like I said, disappointing for the players who put in a lot of work in a short week and put themselves in position to win that game.

“I like what we did there. Again, once it’s under seven (seconds) you’re going to call a timeout there – basically under 12 and then you don’t really have an option because it’s third through fourth, you then have to throw it in the end zone.

“For me it’s – I think we handled it the right way, I really believe you just have to replay the game, keep it contained and call a timeout, and that’s why we held it and it didn’t work the way we wanted it to.’

The loss puts pressure on Eberflus, with the Bears sitting last in the NFC North with a 4-8 record for the season after the Thanksgiving result. Rookie quarterback Williams, meanwhile, completed 20 of 39 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

For his part, Williams said: “I’m on the field, I got a call, I know I took a timeout earlier in the same drive, so I can take timeouts, but in that situation I got a call, I tried to call. Get everyone back and get in line.

“I don’t have a microphone for coaching or anything like that. There was no major communication. In that situation you get a call and during that time you have to try to get the guys back and get everyone lined up.”

Asked if he was surprised that Eberflus hadn’t called a timeout, Williams said: “Surprised? I’m not going to say “surprised.” My job is to go out and create players, get everyone lined up, go out and win games. We didn’t do that today.’

Keenan Allen, who scored two touchdowns for the Bears, made a pointed comment after the game when he told reporters, “I feel like we did enough as players to win the game.”

Eberflus is under increasing pressure as the Bears have now lost six games in a row

Allen’s teammate DJ Moore added, “I don’t know why we didn’t call a timeout.”

In the aftermath of the match, analysts all laid the blame on Eberflus.

“Man, I feel for you Bears fans. That was just cruel. Literal coaching malpractice,” JJ Watt said on X. “What the hell was that? The end of game management by them this year is absolutely AMAZING.;

Stephen A. Smith also blamed Eberflus, saying, “No timeout. Don’t peak like the ball. You only get released once in the last 26 seconds.

“Do we need any more proof to the Chicago Bears and their fans around the world that a new coach is needed? That it’s time for change?’

Former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan said on CBS: “This is unacceptable from a head coaching position.

‘It is your responsibility not to panic in critical situations. To give your team the best chance to win matches. That’s a huge, huge failure by Matt Eberflus.”