Cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s outburst Thursday wasn’t the first time Bears players vented their frustration toward Matt Eberflus in the moments after a game.
Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker said after Wednesday’s practice that he did something similar after the team lost in overtime to the Vikings the week before. Walker was frustrated by Eberflus’ defensive schemes late in the game.
“It was just like, certain plays called,” he said. “I just feel like that to where you gotta let your players play, you know?”
Walker didn’t name the specific play. Players had been frustrated, though, when the Vikings converted a third-and-10 overtime pass to a wide-open Jordan Addison for 13 yards after Eberflus had taken a timeout to set the defense.
“I was pissed,” Walker said. “You know what I’m saying? So like I said, to lose that many close games, we have to dial up and be more detailed.”
Walker said he wasn’t surprised that the Bears fired their head coach after he held on to the team’s last timeout as the clock expired in a 23-20 loss to the Lions. Johnson was critical of his coach as he tried to speak to the team in the locker room.
“We just knew some changes were going to be made,” Walker said.