The Chicago Bears offense loaded up on talent this off-season. They even added an offensive coordinator with more credibility in Shane Waldron. It felt like this should be the year things finally come together. Matt Eberflus seemed confident. His defense was good. The special teams were improving. All they had to do was get the offense to passable status, and this could be a playoff team. Three weeks into the season, and it’s been an unmitigated disaster. It has yet to score more than one touchdown in a game.
This has nothing to do with them having a rookie quarterback. Caleb Williams has made his share of mistakes, but he’s been one of the better players on the field. This is despite bad blocking and a non-existent running game. Waldron had no concept of getting his unit into a rhythm. The fact it’s the third game of the same stuff happening raises alarm bells. Eberflus hasn’t helped his own case with some abysmal in-game management. It started with his two bad challenges last week and continued with a baffling timeout after a touchdown in the 4th quarter because he wanted to go for two.
It is early, but conversations have already started about whether Eberflus should survive beyond 2024.
The primary concern about Matt Eberflus still exists.
Many were worried that the defensive-minded coach would lack the right plan to elevate a young quarterback like Williams. His Waldron decision is looking worse and worse by the day. Leaving a tight end to block a 1st round edge rusher in a game-winning drive situation? Little mistakes like that are unacceptable. Keep in mind this is the easier half of the Bears’ schedule. For them to look this bad and this unprepared sets off alarm bells for the slate of divisional games they face in November and December.
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Williams is not the problem. Despite his occasional mistakes, he has looked exactly like a #1 pick should after three games. Rome Odunze also had his breakout performance. Talent is not the issue with this team. If they want to reach the next level, they have to find coaching that can elevate them. Green Bay has it. Minnesota has it. Matt Eberflus is a good man with a proper football mindset. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a keen sense of game management or an ability to get all three phases playing at a high level.
He is a primary component in the Bears’ 1-2 start.
@slip Knotz
They hired Marc Trestman. The problem is that offense is based more lack of managerial understanding that all the players need to prepare for the different types of offenses. At this point, offenses are more coordinated than defenses, which are reactive.
Totally agree, pooch. To be clear though, I and the honest man I was referring to.
Actually, Williams had 52 pass attempts. He was sacked 4 more times, and there was one other time that I forgot the issue. But Waldron actually had him drop back 57 times.
Too bad his name isn’t HEINZ.
More foolish coach firing articles. Here comes all the people urging an Offensive Head coach. Duh, we never tried an Offensive head coach before maybe that would work!!
@mbearest Sorry but Erik has hardly been honest (or maybe for him, he has been), but the truth was, is and always will be (to paraphrase the WWE), it has been the coaching. From the smallest details of position play, to integrating and coordinating those players with their detailed training. Sorry, it is rare to be wrong about that. Fields was never “inconsistent,” his coaching was. The Bears aren’t bad, their offenses have been incoherent, reactive and prone to panic. Fields NEVER attempted 52 passes. In two or three games, he didn’t attempt that many. Why is Williams attempting that… Read more »