The Chicago Bears had a rough outing in Green Bay yet again. It’s obvious this team isn’t anywhere close to where it needs to be to challenge the Packers. People will want to blame the coaching for minor mistakes. In reality, the Bears aren’t talented enough. They haven’t been talented enough for years. A team doesn’t lose seven straight games to their rival because of only bad coaching and bad luck. It is about the players at the end of the day.
Right now, the Bears are getting a good idea of where they may have problems on this roster. Problems they’ll have to fix going into 2023. Maybe that changes as the schedule unfolds. Things tend to do that over a long season. Still, don’t be surprised if the names listed below are not part of the team’s future plans. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus aren’t prone to living with mistakes for long.
The Chicago Bears already have a 2023 picture forming.
Cole Kmet
Coaches insisted Kmet could be a major factor in the passing offense now that the new system was being installed. So one can safely imagine they haven’t been thrilled with him going catchless across two entire games. His big drop against Green Bay that would’ve been a first down was a microcosm of his entire career to this point. Every time the Bears need a big play from him, he fails to answer the bell. It might be time to accept the cold reality that Ryan Pace flubbed another high draft choice. Kmet can sometimes be a solid blocker, but his future as a receiving weapon is dying slowly.
Cole Kmet is reaching that, "What exactly would you say you do around here?" territory. Offering nothing as a blocker or receiver.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) September 20, 2022
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Larry Borom
His strong preseason offered hope that he might be able to take a step forward this year. Through two games, it’s becoming apparent Borom just doesn’t have the capability to hang with top NFL edge rushers. He allowed three pressures and a sack in 41 pass-blocking snaps across two games. The Bears also average only 3.5 yards per carry when running the ball behind him. It’s becoming clear they may need to seek an upgrade when the season is over. Right now, they don’t have any favorable alternatives. Riley Reiff isn’t the player he was a few years ago.
This is a good example how technique can help an OT anchor against a bullrush. Braxton Jones stays square & upright, catching the defender with good hand placement and is able to anchor. Larry Borom opens his hips & bends at the waist and is pushed back into Justin Fields #Bears pic.twitter.com/eftibc4i5M
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) September 20, 2022
Byron Pringle
People were upset the Chicago Bears didn’t pour more resources into wide receiver this off-season. GM Ryan Poles wants to build through the draft. So he settled for shopping in the bargain bin. He believes Pringle has the capability to be a solid piece in this passing offense. Well, the receiver has one catch for 22 yards in two games. He’s only played 24 offensive snaps total. The coaches don’t seem to trust him all that much. Pringle wasn’t even targeted in Green Bay. That is how much of a non-factor he’s been thus far.
Angelo Blackson
Defensive tackle became a weakness when the Bears cut Eddie Goldman and let Akiem Hicks walk. They hoped Blackson could repeat his solid play from last year, slotting him in as their primary nose tackle. That means he was responsible for helping them stop the run. Considering the Bears have allowed almost 400 yards on the ground through the first two weeks, it’s safe to say Blackson hasn’t done the job particularly well. He also only has one pressure on the quarterback. It is clear that this team will make defensive tackle a heavy focus next off-season.
Kindle Vildor
The decision by the Bears to make him a starter illustrated how thin the defense actually is at cornerback. While Kyler Gordon is getting the headlines for his difficult start to the season, he at least has the excuse of being a rookie. Vildor has no such luxury. He’s been no help on defense with no interceptions and no passes defended in two games. Quarterbacks have completed six passes on seven targets for 90 yards against him. It is no wonder Jaylon Johnson isn’t getting targeting. Teams don’t feel the need to when throwing at Vildor almost always works.
The best thing about this year is that young players like Jones, Borom, Jenkins, Brisker, Gordon, Robinson, Fields and a few others are getting a lot of playing time. The ones that rise to the top will pay their dividends next year when the Bears are (hopefully) ready to compete. The other thing: what the heck is everyone thinking by judging these players after only two games? Both sides of the ball have new systems, Let the players work into their spots.
BRAXTON Jones at LT is not solid at that position thus far.. So are the LB Corps. Watch teams to start picking on Gordon now. He needs to settle down, and just concentrate ONLY on his assignment.
Mustipher is part of the problem as well. He can’t pass block or run block. Fields is a nervous nelly when he’s in there. Fields is thinking too much. They changed his stance, changed his footwork, changed the terminology and the offense, changed a ton of the players. And, he doesn’t trust the protection. Yet, you guys want him to play like Rodgers with inferior talent. It may be possible but it sure isn’t going to happen overnight. Give him a few weeks and get Patrick back at C. A working running game will help a ton as well. Also,… Read more »
Could Kmet go ONE game without having a Pass go through his hands and conk him on the Helmet?
How many sacks has Braxton Jones given up? It least 3 that I recall. You can’t criticize Borom and not mention B. Jones.