This would be big time.
We have a new name to watch for in the Cincinnati Bengals’ search for a new defensive coordinator.
According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals are in the mix for former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
Fowler adds that several NFL teams are in the mix for Eberflus.
Former #Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is involved in the #Bengals defensive coordinator search, per sources.
Eberflus, fired by Chicago on Nov. 29, should be in the coordinator mix league-wide as the carousel spins. pic.twitter.com/oTkCz9lEi2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 11, 2025
While Eberflus was a disaster of a head coach in Chicago, there’s no denying he was a great defensive play-caller for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-21.
Under Eberflus, the Colts had the only NFL defense to be ranked in the top 10 in scoring, run defense, and takeaways in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, according to the Bears’ official website.
In addition, Indianapolis finished in the top 10 in the NFL in run defense and takeaways in all four seasons under Eberflus, ranked top 10 in points allowed in three of the four years, and was the NFL’s least penalized defense in 2019 and 2021.
That’s far more than anything the Bengals ever had in the regular season under Lou Anarumo, even if his defenses played at a high level in the 2021 and 2022 postseasons.
This feels like a home-run hire if the Bengals can seal the deal. It would also fit the description of Daijahn Anthony, who said the Bengals had their man at DC and that it would be a shocking and exciting hire.
What do you think of Matt Ebflus potentially leading the Bengals defense in 2025? Let us know in the comments section!
