The Chicago Bears offensive line’s performance through the first three weeks has been nothing short of baffling. Keep in mind that this unit paved the way for the #2 rushing attack in the NFL last season. They also showed legitimate progress in pass protection. Coming into 2024, they even had continuity. Four of the five starters from last year were returning. Everybody expected at least something similar to last season. Instead, what they’ve gotten is the third-worst rushing attack in football, 13 sacks allowed in three games, and a comedy of mental errors. As a result, many have called out offensive line coach Chris Morgan.
He was one of the few holdovers from last year. Head coach Matt Eberflus felt Morgan had done enough to prove he could develop young guys to play at a high level. The stunning regression of guys like Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones over the past three weeks has many second-guessing that assessment, including inside Halas Hall. A source informed SM that there is a “s**t ton” of heat on Morgan for the constant mistakes. The feeling is there is way too much talent in that group to be playing this poorly.
Chris Morgan feels like a potential scapegoat.
There is something much deeper going on with the Bears offense. There is no way things should’ve devolved this fast. Morgan didn’t just suddenly become a bad coach, right? The only difference from last year is Waldron. Maybe he isn’t the great teacher Eberflus made him out to be. A good teacher never lets his students make so many mistakes. Maybe he and Morgan don’t have great chemistry together due to unfamiliarity and differing opinions. Remember, Morgan is also the team’s run game coordinator.
Either way, if this keeps up, something is going to change. Ryan Poles made that clear before the Colts game. He stated talent is not the issue. It is the fundamentals and discipline. That falls on the coaching. Chris Morgan is the man with those guys more often than anybody. If they aren’t performing, he must shoulder responsibility. It hasn’t gotten to a point where jobs are on the line yet. That said, any goodwill from last year has evaporated.
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This is just my opinion, but our entire IOL is a problem. I’d replace all 3 of them, personally. We talked about Caleb’s spatial awareness being his best trait. Watching our 2 guards, it is evident they have zero spatial awareness. That includes Teven. Go back and watch him on the play that showed Nate’s effort posted above. Both our guards aren’t blocking anybody. Them standing there flailing their arms like hens just further shuts down the running lanes for our RB, who gets diverted right into the middle of the field. We need 3 mean dudes that are synchronized… Read more »
Morgan was a problem last year, too! Do you not remember all the sacks? Yea, the run game was better last year, but dear Lord, this guy’s clock has to be close to midnight, right? One of the many offensive staff members that was hired this year can coach or has coached the offensive line before, and it’s time to move in that direction.
“.. .[“C-Mo”] Morgan didn’t just suddenly become a bad coach, right?” — Erik Lambert Yeah, Erik — that’s right — in the sense that C-Mo was ALWAYS “a bad coach.” Some fans didn’t recognize that fact because Morgan followed another pathetic OL coach in Chicago, Juan Castillo (Nagy’s pal). But knowledgeable fans told y’all from Day One that C-Mo was no Harry Hiestand. Chris Morgan has only survived this long because he has been another “yes-man” that Ryan Poles could count on to: start Lucas Patrick; cheer the addition of Alex Leatherwood; supplant Larry Borom with Braxton Jones; treat Teven… Read more »
Hubba Bubba, you forgot the QB change. We no longer have an escape artist. Now we have an artist who paints his nails.
Well, we all know what happens to the “old guard” who are resistant to the new management’s changes and vision.