The Chicago Bears must feel like they’re in the Twilight Zone. For the longest time, their identity has remained steadfast. The defense keeps the team in games every week hoping the offense finds a way to muster points to win. When a game is close in the 4th quarter, the defense always gets stops to create extra opportunities. That has not been the case for the past month now and Roquan Smith is having none of it.
For the third time in four games, the Bears let a golden opportunity slip away in the 4th quarter due to their failure to get a stop. Against Green Bay, Justin Fields cut the Packers’ lead to 17-14 with 8:44 left to play. The defense then allowed Aaron Rodgers to go 75 yards in seven plays to score a touchdown, putting the game out of reach. Last week, Fields delivered an epic 4th down scramble for a 22-yard score to cut the San Francisco 49ers lead to 23-22 with 9:32 left to play. Again the defense allowed a 75-yard drive for a touchdown on the next series.
Monday night in Pittsburgh may have been the worst though.
Fields had the best performance of his young career. Trailing 20-6 late in the 3rd quarter, the rookie rose to the occasion, leading two gutty touchdown drives to take the lead 27-26 with 1:46 to play. All the defense needed was one stop and they’d win the game. Instead, a Steelers drive ended in a 40-yard field goal to ultimately steal the victory. A drive exemplified by back-to-back offsides penalties by Robert Quinn and Trevis Gipson. It was a complete implosion.
Apparently, Smith didn’t take things too well. Fields revealed after the game that the linebacker had words for guys in the locker room. It got somewhat intense from the description.
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Bears Justin Fields said Roquan Smith addressed the team after the game:
"He was really pouring his heart out. Just to see how passionate he is about the sport, & about the game,& about this team. You can just tell what guys wanna win and how passionate we are about this sport."
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) November 9, 2021
It didn’t take a psychologist to identify Smith’s mood. He was not happy during his post-game press conference. While he remained professional throughout, he didn’t mince words about what happened. When asked about the offense’s performance, he took it as an opportunity to let his defensive teammates know they blew it.
*Turn up the volume
Roquan Smith has emerged as an unquestioned leader
He is arguably the best player on the Bears defense now. He proved that again in Pittsburgh, making 12 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack. What stands out most though is his voice. After spending the first few years as a young guy following the lead of veterans like Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan, it is feeling more and more like this is Smith’s defense now. A defense that is not playing up to his standards.
That is a good thing. He should not be at all happy with how the unit has played for weeks now. They’ve allowed at least 24 points to each of their past four opponents. Worse still, they’ve allowed 100 yards or more rushing in those games. Something this defense is not used to. Sure they miss Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson, but those are poor excuses. This unit is talented enough to play better and they didn’t do it. Roquan Smith wasn’t afraid to let them know it too.
That is why they should be in good hands moving forward.
A decline on defense almost felt inevitable. Age is catching up to a number of their core guys. It just seemed like they might’ve had one more good year in them. Perhaps not. There is good news though. Smith is only 24-years old and a genuine star. Along with emerging cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the Bears have a foundation they can build around for the future.
