Bears Rumors: Game Management System 'Broke and Wasn't Fixed' Before Eberflus Blunder

The Chicago Bears' clock mismanagement in their loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day shined a light on a bigger problem, thereby leading to the decision to fire head coach Matt Eberflus.

With a chance to set up a game-tying field goal or attempt to score a go-ahead touchdown, the Bears opted not to call a timeout and wasted 32 seconds of game time, allowing the clock to expire on the final play on their way to losing 23-20.

According to ESPN's Courtney Cronin, team sources said that "the fact that no timeout was called raised questions among the front office and coaching staff over in-game management." While the decision was ultimately up to the head coach, Eberflus also was in communication with members of his staff who are responsible for game management calls.

"There's a system that's broke and wasn't fixed," a team source told Cronin.

Eberflus was fired the day after the loss to Detroit, ending his tenure in Chicago with a 14-32 record and no playoff appearances. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to interim head coach.

The Bears (4-8) will be trying to end a six-game losing streak in their first game under Brown when they face the San Francisco 49ers (5-7) on Sunday.