Bears defenders show support for Matt Eberflus as 2023 season comes to close

If there was one obvious positive from the Chicago Bears’ 2023 season, it was the defensive turnaround under coach Matt Eberflus during the second half of the year.

The Bears were a takeaways machine. They got after the quarterback. They made life a living hell for opposing running backs. It was reminiscent of some of the best Chicago Bears teams of the last two decades, the ones that Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs led.

The 2023 Bears were led by Montez Sweat, TJ Edwards, and Tremaine Edmunds. The defensive backs thrived under Eberflus’ playcalling, including rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who ended his first year tied for the team lead with four interceptions.

The list of encouraging player performances in 2023 is a long one on defense, including second-year linebacker Jack Sanborn, who voiced his support for Matt Eberflus on Monday.

“From where we were, what I can commend him for is just staying the course,” Sanborn said. “He never wavered, never changed. I think he maybe saw it before any of us saw it, and really just didn’t change throughout the rough times or the good times. Because it was ugly at times. It was bad. We were playing bad ball.

“We weren’t executing. We weren’t playing good. And then it kinda changed. I think the guys in this locker room could feel that. I think everyone else could feel that. That’s what made yesterday so tough — such an important game, against that team. Just wanted to finish the season how we wanted. After this year to kinda where we were last year, and then change it to where we actually believe we would win every game we go into.”

Sanborn finished the 2023 season with 65 tackles, seven tackles for loss and an interception. He’s been one of GM Ryan Poles” best transactions, Sanborn was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL draft.

Sweat, meanwhile, became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks in the same season. He led Chicago with 6.5, and his six sacks with the Commanders stayed atop their list all year. He’s a big fan of Eberflus, too.

“Smart,” Sweat said of the Bears head coach. “He’s innovative. He listens to his players. And he trusts his gut and he trusts his players. I’d love to see Flus back.

There’s a consistent message from inside the locker room as Chicago Bears players depart for the offseason: they