Bears’ Jaylon Johnson doesn’t regret blowing up on Matt Eberflus

Chicago Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson has confirmed reports that he exploded in frustration at former head coach Matt Eberflus following the team’s six-game losing streak and it’s clear: he doesn’t regret it not.

More news: Bears president reveals if GM Ryan Poles will return

Johnson appeared on the Spiegel & Holmes Show earlier today and addressed reports that he had been visibly frustrated after Eberflus’ mishandling of the game clock contributed to the Bears’ 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, a mistake that ultimately led to the coach’s dismissal.

With the Bears trailing by three, Eberflus decided not to use the team’s final timeout after rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked at the Lions’ 41-yard line with 32 seconds remaining, putting the Bears just out of field goal range. Eberflus hoped they could quickly run a play and gain a few more yards to set up the tying kick.

However, the Bears failed to get the ball back on a crucial third-and-26 before there were six seconds remaining. Williams’ deep pass fell incomplete as the clock hit zero, marking the fourth time in the Bears’ six-game losing streak that a game was decided in the final moments.

According to Johnson, he unloaded on the then-coach after the game in frustration and he “didn’t really let on” that the confrontation had become public.

“At some point, it’s enough, just to express frustrations,” Johnson said. “But at the end of the day, I found out about the shot first through ESPN, and then I got phone calls and text messages afterward. But at the end of the day, this isn’t my first go-around , it’s not my first rodeo with shooting. It’s a business.”

The next day, Bears general manager Ryan Poles fired Eberflus just hours after he confidently declared in a press conference that he would lead the team against the San Francisco 49ers on December 8.

Eberflus, who went 14-32 in just over two seasons with the Bears, became the third head coach to be fired during the 2024 season, joining Robert Saleh (Jets) and Dennis Allen (Saints ).

At 4-8, the Bears are the only team in the NFC North with a losing record. With the head coaching position expected to be one of the most sought after positions this offseason, Thomas Brown, the offensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.

More news: Fans react to Bears’ shocking firing of Matt Eberflus

Johnson apparently regrets Eberflus’ departure even less than the explosion.

“Guys get fired all the time — players, coaches, general manager. It happens. I don’t necessarily feel like I played a major role in Eberflus’ firing,” Johnson said. It’s not my fault. But ultimately there was frustration. There are words from myself that I have expressed simply because of my frustration at losing. Part of what I said after the match was that I’ve been losing for five years. »

Ultimately, it seemed things came to a head both in the locker room and in the executive room and things got loud.

“It was just based on the frustration of losing,” Johnson said. “That’s what started it. Just certain things and the way things have gone the last few weeks. From the outside, you could say it’s the last few weeks. For me, it’s the five last years of my shit * career.

For more on the Bears, visit Newsweek Sports.