The Chicago Bears are 3-12. They’re two games away from guaranteeing themselves at least the #2 overall pick. It could become #1 if the Houston Texans win one more game down the stretch. That makes it so easy to embrace the idea of shutting key players down for the season, particularly Justin Fields. He’s been beaten up already, so there is some justification for the idea. Never mind that he is the only clear avenue the Bears have to win a game these final two weeks. However, head coach Matt Eberflus won’t even consider it.
He stated that Fields is healthy after getting dinged up on Sunday. The QB will play against the Lions in Detroit. Reporters asked him if there was any consideration for shutting him down, given the team’s record and his health. Eberflus emphatically said no. When asked to explain why, here is what he said.
Some people may not like that answer. That said, it is the correct stance for Eberflus to have. He understands the players would instantly lose respect for him and GM Ryan Poles if they signed off on sitting Fields despite him being healthy enough to play. His job as the head coach is to win. Poles’ job is to draft good players regardless of where they are in the final order.
Matt Eberflus needs to stay on message, and that message is winning.
It is a big reason the Bears have continued to battle in every game despite some frustratingly close losses. They know they’re trending in the right direction. It is about learning how to finish games. They aren’t there yet. It is a consequence of employing such a young roster that lacks depth. These last two games against division opponents are great opportunities to keep trying. A win over Detroit would ruin their playoff hopes. A win over Minnesota would rob them of the #1 seed. Either of those scenarios would be a huge morale boost for this embattled roster.
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Yes, a victory would mean the Bears pick 4th instead of 2nd. It might cost them one of the top players in the 2023 class. Here’s the thing. Not even the #1 pick is a guarantee in the draft. Courtney Brown, JaMarcus Russell, Sam Bradford, Jameis Winston, Jared Goff, and Baker Mayfield all can’t be called franchise-altering picks.
Conversely, the 4th pick has produced Trent Williams, A.J. Green, Lane Johnson, Amari Cooper, Denzel Ward, and Sauce Gardner. If Poles is any good at his job, he should be able to find a great player at that spot. This is why Matt Eberflus is correct in pursuing at least one more victory.
I think they should call all drop back passes and tell Fields he can only run if it is to protect himself. Make him drop back and pass it 60 times combined in 2 games. Reading defenses from the pocket is what he needs practice with. So why not call a game designed around his weakness? A lot of Bears fans would not like that because he would struggle and they can’t handle the Bears looking bad even in a lost season. But in the long run he would be that much better in 2023 and beyond with that experience.… Read more »
For Eberflus it’s more than just playing out the season. He’s all about character and laying down for the last few opponents isn’t even a possibility.
There is difference in tanking so that to get a better draft pick and being causious with the future of the entire franchise you moron. all you are saying to us is I DONT CARE. Good thinking you idiot
Pretty sure he made his thoughts clear on day one.
Tanking, the Bears don’t have to tank thanks to the refs taking two games with Eberflus doing his part calling unnecessary timeouts and oh Getsy with his vanilla bland play calling. The Bears are actually a 5 to 6 win team this year but obviously have been held back by circumstances beyond their control and let’s not talk about the PF’s not called on late hits on JF. The only game that we may win is if the Vikings lay down on us the final game of the season but I think that they have something to play for still.