This is the right move at the right time.

Given what transpired on a gray and cold Chicago Sunday, there was no chance Brian Daboll would return in 2026. Once that verdict was made by co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch — the 24-20 loss made that a fait accompli — it made no sense to string this out and delay the inevitable. There are seven games remaining and no signs that anything would get turned around. 

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Here is how it went down:

Monday, late morning, Mara and Tisch had a conversation on the phone and, together, they agreed it was time for a change. They called in their general manager, Joe Schoen, and informed him of their decision — and that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka would be elevated as the interim head coach. Then the co-owners brought Daboll in and told him that his time as the head coach had come to an end.