Welp. I was hoping my first stab at this new Monday morning newsletter format would be a happy 10-point tour through a big Bears win.
Instead, I’m writing it from a familiar position as the rain pours down on Chicago and reflects our awful moods after that 38-20 atrocity yesterday at Soldier Field.
I didn’t come into this season expecting a fully-formed NFC title contender. Not with all the new faces in the locker room. I still think it’s reasonable to expect the Bears’ offseason additions would put them past a Packers franchise that just lost its cornerstone of the last 15 years.
But the difference yesterday was clear. The Packers are a stable franchise built on good people and processes while the Bears are still searching for that. We’re hoping Ryan Poles can build that foundation, but Sunday’s loss was a grounding reminder that none of this happens overnight.
That said, can you point to any one Poles’ decision that you’re wild about so far? There’s been some glimpses here and there and I like his patience, but there hasn’t been anything to counterbalance the Chase Claypool trade or Velus Jones Jr. pick.
Roschon Johnson eats for free today. Cairo Santos, too.
Everyone’s right to be worried about the coaching. I’m not passing complete judgment on Matt Eberflus yet, but wouldn’t it be the most Bears thing ever if they hired a defensive coach who can’t coach defense … directly after firing an offensive coach who couldn’t coach offense?
That said, the “They Should Have Hired Brian Daboll!” crowd had a lot more ammo at 6:30 last night than it did at 8.
I’m not mentally ready to do the “it’s the quarterback!” vs. the “it’s everybody else!” argument with Justin Fields, just like we did with Mitch Trubisky. But the honest truth is that a lot of people have already started and it will only grow if Luke Getsy can’t figure out how to produce with the ingredients he’s been given.
Bryce Young (20-38, 146 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) didn’t do anything in his debut to make the Bears regret passing on him last April. With the Bears holding the rights to Carolina’s No. 1 pick in 2024, we’ll take 16 more Panthers losses just like that, please.
Passing on Jalen Carter may remain a problem. His six pressures and a sack on 32 pass rushes in his Eagles’ debut — the most by a rookie DT in the last five seasons, according to Next Gen Stats — would’ve fit in nicely at Soldier Field.
I have Packer fan friends in my life. You probably have Packer fan friends in your life. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired of getting the football pulled away at every turn and being left with no bragging rights for more than 30 years. We deserve a lot better for all the passion and energy we put into the Bears.
