The Chicago Bears haven’t had permanent team captains for a season in several years. Head coaches Marc Trestman and Matt Nagy fell in love with the idea of having weekly rotating captains. It was a practice that never made any sense, only seeming to confuse players on who the leaders of the team were. Head coach Matt Eberflus made it clear he wouldn’t make the same mistake. He announced the Bears would have four regular captains for the 2022 season.
We finally learned who they are. Justin Fields and Cody Whitehair represent the offense, while Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn represent the defense. This isn’t a huge surprise. Whitehair and Quinn are two of the most experienced and proven veterans. Smith is the best player on the team and the unquestioned leader of the defense. The great news is seeing Fields get the nod. It backs up the rumblings that he’d gained a much bigger voice in the locker room this summer.
Put a © on their chest pic.twitter.com/a417pct6i5
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 7, 2022
Coach Flus makin' things official pic.twitter.com/wgBTWDZIYs
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 7, 2022
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The Chicago Bears finally have stability in the locker room.
It might be a small thing in the grand scheme, but even small things go a long way. The last time the Bears had consistent captains was during the Lovie Smith era. Guys like Brian Urlacher, Olin Kreutz, and Patrick Mannelly, among others, guided the ship. Plenty of success was had during those years. Fields, Whitehair, Smith, and Quinn understand how to set a level of expectation, both for themselves and others. That is why teammates felt comfortable electing them.
If guys have questions or need a stern reminder when they’re slacking off, it falls to the captains to get them in line. Lovie Smith said he would often go to Kreutz or Urlacher if he had concerns about how other players were acting rather than confront them directly. Those two would then set people straight. It is a great way to build camaraderie and eases the burden on the coaching staff to police everybody at all times.
When players hold each other accountable, the team benefits.
So tired of the talk…..is it Sunday yet?
So theoretically 3 of the 4 captains could be gone by next year. I get it though. Whitehair because he's the only real veteran on the line, Fields for obvious reasons, Quinn for the DL, and Smith for the Defensive backfield. They all make sense.
Only the Bears would make a guy with a standing trade request be a captain…unless that request was fake news by Bears media.
Congratulations to Justin, Whitehair, Roquan, and Quinn. Well Deserved. Team Leaders… Go Bears.
Huge fan of this coaching regime.