Bears Getting Tougher to Watch as Playoff Hopes Slip Away

November 4, 2019

The Chicago Bears were historically bad, losing their fourth straight game to the beatable Philadelphia Eagles, 22-14. In what was one of the most hyped seasons, the Bears have collapsed. I can’t see them winning many more games and they could finish 5-11. The two more wins ensure that beleaguered coach Matt Nagy will be back next year. This may sound like a broken record but General Manager Ryan Pace should take most of the blame.

The Bear defense has gone from great to good. As opposed to last year, you don’t see takeaways or wreaking havoc on quarterbacks. For most of the year I’ve blamed the bumbling offense keeping the defense on the field, to the point of exhaustion. However, the Eagles carved up the defense on their first possession with a long, time consuming drive. This was aided by stupid, off-sides penalties on the Bears. The Bears did hold them to a field goal as they would on another drive. Meanwhile, the offense was keeping the defense on the field with multiple three and outs. The Eagles lone, first half touchdown came when Eagle tight end Zach Ertz ran into cornerback Kyle Fuller getting open for a touchdown reception. Fuller argued for a penalty, but nine times out of ten this isn’t called.

David Montgomery has looked good with a fullback in front in a two back formation. Why does Nagy more often line up Montgomery as a single back where he gains one to three yards? Has Matt Nagy given up developing quarterback Mitch Trubisky? He shows no confidence in him or his offense. Not running another play prior to Eddy Pineiro’s missed field goal; not trying two point conversions; not going for a first down on a fourth down and six yards to go at the Eagles 44 yard line. Why can’t Nagy see that Trubisky is terrible from the pocket? He rolls out and completes a 53 yard pass to Taylor Gabriel and this play is never called again. The Bears did score twice in the red zone, albeit with the obligatory call of Tarik Cohen up the middle losing a yard. With a grand total of 14 points Nagy’s offense has now scored less than 20 points for the 14^th time in 25 games.

I think it’s safe to say Trubisky is a bust. Pace first round picks have been pathetic. 2015 Kevin White (out of football), Leonard Floyd who shows up once in a while, and 2018 regressing Roquan Smith. Add his hiring of Nagy and he should be launched, but it’ not going to happen. The only positive to all of this is the Bears will have a soft schedule next year.