As the Bears debacle smoldered on his television, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo picked up the phone and called Evan Rothstein, the team’s director of game management, to talk strategy.

Eberflus has been fired, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. His tenure in Chicago comes to an end after two-plus years at the helm of the team. He compiled a 14-32 record along the way, and the latest contribution to the team’s current six-game losing streak has marked the end of his first NFL head coaching gig.

The Chicago Bears had first-and-10 on the Detroit Lions ' 25-yard line with 46 seconds to go Thursday, trailing 23–20. The Bears, with a timeout in their back pocket, lost the game in regulation without attempting a field goal or turning the ball over.