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10 Quick Thoughts: More time to prepare leads to another big 'L' for the Bears coaching staff

Kevin Kaduk

October 16, 2023

Good morning Chicago.

I guess I’m just grateful we somehow got 10 days of optimism during this hellish season.

Let’s get into the thoughts following Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Vikings …

Welp, the Bears are now 1-5. A softer October schedule gave the team a real chance to right itself after that 0-3 September. But after three games this month, the Bears are 1-2 with the defense collapsing against the Broncos and the offense no-showing against the Vikings. A real team effort, if you’re on the lookout for positives.
Why isn’t this team prepared when they actually have time to prepare? They were pantsed by the Packers after an entire offseason, $170 million worth of free agents and a new No. 1 wide receiver for the offense. Then this after an encouraging win over Washington and 10 days of rest/planning/normalcy at Halas Hall. Does Matt Eberflus hand out “loafs” to himself and his staff? He should.
How much money would you have placed on the Bears had I told you Kirk Cousins would be limited to 181 passing yards and the Vikings only 46 rushing yards?
What if I also told you the Vikings would be 2-of-13 on third downs or that the Vikings offense wouldn’t score in the second half?
Washington Commanders fans must be a confused lot this morning.
That’s 10 straight losses in the NFC North and 10 straight losses at Soldier Field. We’re back in the late ’90s, only with a more athletic quarterback and less Dave Wannstedt.
Speaking of QB1, the 2023 season faces a big fork in the road with Justin Fields’ MRI today. I didn’t see anything from Tyson Bagent yesterday that said he absolutely, definitely, positively deserves a shot at the job and he’d be playing with the same barriers to success that hinder Fields anyway.
Between Bagent’s two turnovers and Caleb Williams not playing up to the moment in South Bend, it was a bad weekend for Bears fans who want to move on from Fields.
Speaking of beloved Bears backup quarterbacks, Brian Hoyer could start for the Raiders next Sunday after Jimmy Garoppolo’s back injury. Fun trivia fact: He and Josh McCown are the only Bears quarterbacks to throw for 300+ yards in three straight games.
Another big shoutout to the Soldier Field crowd. Despite it all, you could tell it was still thirsty for that W late in the game. Our fanbase’s passion remains unmatched.