Looking into Bears crystal ball

Significant steps.

That's what I wanted to see out of the Bears in Matt Eberflus' second season as head coach.

Not baby steps that led to a 5-12 or 6-11 campaign.

Significant steps to prove Eberflus is capable of leading the Bears to the Super Bowl.

So as the Bears get set to play their season finale at Green Bay on Sunday, it's time to ask: What grade did Eberflus earn in 2023-24?

On Oct. 1 — after the Bears fell to 0-4 by blowing a 28-7 lead to Denver — that grade was undoubtedly an F.

A month later, the Bears lost three of their next five and were 2-7. Grade: Still an F.

Then came a victory over Carolina and a beautifully played game against Detroit where the Bears led 26-14 with four minutes remaining. Of course, we all know what happened next: A complete collapse that allowed the Lions to storm back and claim a 31-26 victory.

At that point, Eberflus' fate seemed all but sealed. Surely, he'd find a pink slip in his (email?) box on Jan. 8, one day after the season finale.

Then something funny happened.

The Bears' defense roared to life, snaring interceptions and sacking quarterbacks at an alarming and impressive rate in victories over Minnesota, Detroit, Arizona and Atlanta.

If Cleveland doesn't erase a 17-7 deficit in Week 15, we're talking about a five-game winning streak and a possible playoff berth.

Even so, if the Bears win Sunday you have to give Eberflus an A or A- for going 6-2 in the final eight games.

Can GM Ryan Poles really fire his coach after that kind of finish?

The answer is absolutely — if Poles believes there's someone available (Mike Tomlin or Jim Harbaugh perhaps) who would be a serious upgrade.

There are plenty of examples of Chicago GMs dumping coaches who seemed primed to lead a talented team forward.

Three that come to mind:

· Jerry Krause replacing Doug Collins with Phil Jackson in 1989. It was a stunning move considering the fiery Collins just led the Bulls to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 15 years, but Krause had a feeling Jackson was the man to get the job done.

· Dale Tallon replacing Denis Savard with Joel Quenneville. This came four games into the 2008-09 season after Savard helped guide the ascending Blackhawks to a solid 40-34-8 the year before. "Joel brings us a wealth of experience and a winning track record that will have an immediate and lasting impact," Tallon said. Those words turned out to be quite prophetic as the Hawks went on to win Stanley Cup titles in 2010, '13 and '15.

· Jed Hoyer replacing David Ross with Craig Counsell. While Ross was constantly under siege by fans during four years in the Cubs' dugout, it seemed he was rounding into form as a manager last season. But a September collapse, combined with Counsell becoming available, led Hoyer to make a change.

So what should Poles do?

He should find out if either Tomlin or Harbaugh is willing to coach his team. Tomlin is under contract with the Steelers for one more season, which means Poles would have to send draft picks to Pittsburgh to make that move work.

Either of those men make the Bears better. They are smart, highly intelligent coaches with long track records of success.

Bring one aboard and watch out. The Bears could be Super Bowl contenders in two years.

In the end it's unlikely this will happen. Few teams are cheaper than the Bears, and the last thing they want to do is eat what's left of Eberflus' contract while also shelling out $15 million a year or more to sign a top-end coach.

So that means another year — at least — of Eberflus.

Only time will tell if it's the right move.