Inside the team facility on Monday morning, the atmosphere was tense but not chaotic. Sources described Eberflus as “measured but clearly aware of the noise.” Players entered meetings quietly, veterans kept their heads down, and assistants stuck to routines that felt more like obligation than optimism.

Eberflus faced the press later that afternoon, his voice steady but his words reflective of a man under siege. “We know where we are,” he said. “We know what needs to change. It starts with me — and it starts with finishing games the right way.”

Finishing has been the Bears’ Achilles’ heel under his leadership. Of their 23 losses since 2022, 11 have come after holding a lead in the second half.

That number, perhaps more than any other, defines the frustration of Chicago’s recent seasons.

Fans Losing Faith

In a city that lives and dies by its sports teams, patience is always short — and the Bears’ fanbase is reaching its limit. Call-in shows after the game were flooded with emotion. “I’m tired of the same story,” one fan shouted on 670 The Score. “We lead early, collapse late, and act like it’s progress. How many times can we hit rock bottom?”

Social media wasn’t kinder. Memes comparing Eberflus to failed Bears coaches of the past — John Fox, Marc Trestman, Matt Nagy — flooded timelines. A viral post read: “Different coach, same misery. Chicago deserves better.”

Even former players weighed in. Lance Briggs tweeted, “This city bleeds for that team. Losing’s one thing. Accepting it is another.”

For a franchise that prides itself on legacy, the weight of fan disappointment may be heavier than any stat sheet.

A History of Unmet Expectations

When Eberflus arrived in 2022, optimism ran high. He promised accountability, discipline, and a defense-first mentality that would return the Bears to their roots. His hiring followed years of offensive inconsistency, and the organization hoped he could bring balance. But nearly three seasons later, those hopes feel distant.

The Bears are 9–26 under his watch — a record that echoes the instability of recent decades. Since 2013, Chicago has cycled through four head coaches, five offensive coordinators, and countless quarterback experiments.

The defense, once feared, has struggled to close games. The offense, despite glimpses of promise from Justin Fields and now Caleb Williams, remains inconsistent. The team’s identity — the thing Eberflus was hired to rebuild — feels elusive.

Players Caught in the Crossfire

No one inside the locker room is immune from the fallout. Caleb Williams, the rookie quarterback anointed as Chicago’s savior, has publicly supported his coach, calling him “a steady hand through chaos.” But privately, sources say the young signal-caller is frustrated by the lack of rhythm and adaptation in critical moments.

Wide receiver D.J. Moore, who joined the Bears in last year’s blockbuster trade, voiced cautious frustration: “We’ve got talent. We just have to translate it into wins. Nobody wants to be part of bad history.”

That “bad history” phrase has become a quiet refrain among players — spoken softly, but with growing weight.

Ownership’s Patience Wearing Thin

Chairman George McCaskey has never been known for rash decisions, but patience has its limits. The front office has publicly backed Eberflus, citing “steady improvement in culture and effort,” yet the results continue to undercut the rhetoric.

Team sources indicate that while Eberflus is unlikely to be dismissed midseason, his long-term future “depends entirely on visible progress.” With a new stadium project looming and fan engagement faltering, the organization knows it cannot afford another year of mediocrity.

Privately, one insider admitted, “If he doesn’t start winning soon, they’ll have no choice. Chicago’s tired of rebuilding. They want results.”

The Numbers Behind the Frustration

The statistics paint a brutal picture.

• Home Record (since 2022): 3–13

• Average Margin of Loss at Soldier Field: 9.8 points

• Second-Half Collapse Games: 11

• Games Lost After Holding a Lead of 10+ Points: 6

• Overall Record: 9–26

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Even more alarming, the Bears have failed to win back-to-back home games under Eberflus — a streak that now spans 31 regular-season contests.

NFL analysts have noted that Chicago’s home struggles are as psychological as tactical. “They play tight in front of their own crowd,” said former coach Rex Ryan on ESPN. “You can feel it. That stadium starts to groan, and the team tightens up. That’s on coaching.”

Signs of Hope — or False Dawn?

Despite the numbers, the Bears have shown flashes of promise. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has demonstrated poise under pressure, and the defense — bolstered by offseason additions like Montez Sweat — has improved statistically in key categories. But consistency remains elusive.

Every glimmer of progress seems to be followed by a setback. A surprise road win over the Vikings was undone by a sloppy home loss to the Commanders. A dominant first half against the Lions ended with a meltdown that turned jubilation into disbelief.

“I’ve never seen a team so close to turning a corner and yet so far from walking through the door,” one NFC scout observed.

The Emotional Toll

Beyond numbers and analysis, the emotional fatigue is visible — in the players, in the coaching staff, and in the city itself. Chicago loves its football team with a fierce, almost stubborn loyalty, but that loyalty is being tested.

The sight of fans leaving Soldier Field midway through the third quarter has become familiar. So have the postgame press conferences that feel like déjà vu — the same words, the same tone, the same promises to “get better.”

Sports psychologist Dr. Dana Williams, who studies fan behavior, noted, “The Bears are a cultural pillar in Chicago. When they lose this consistently, it affects the city’s mood. People invest emotionally in this team — it’s not just entertainment, it’s identity.”

That identity, once rooted in pride and grit, now carries an undercurrent of frustration and resignation.