Chicago Bears players didn’t know what to expect when they finally showed up for the start of offseason workouts on March 4th. They’d heard plenty about Matt Eberflus and his new coaching staff. Yet this was the first time they were in the same building working together. First impressions go a long way in this business. It seems Eberflus didn’t take long to make one. At least based on comments from multiple players.
Larry Mayer of Chicagobears.com had a chance to speak with some familiar faces from last season. In gauging their thoughts on what was to come, he asked about their initial thoughts on the new coaching staff. It turns out a particular buzzword emerged among them. Trevis Gipson offered the first glimpse.
“The coaching staff has great energy, the guys coming back have great energy. I think there’s something that just feels different about this year. Being back at Halas Hall for the first day, it’s exciting and energetic, and it feels fun.”
Cole Kmet quickly followed up on that with a comment of his own.
“There are a lot of new faces, so I’m just kind of getting to know everybody. It’s really exciting and there’s a lot of new energy in here.”
Eberflus promised that he was going to place a high demand on this team moving forward. Nothing less than 100% commitment would be acceptable. That doesn’t just go for the players. He would demand it from his coaches and himself too. By its sound, the 51-year old is holding up his end of the deal. His guys were ready to go from the moment players arrived. Now it is time to determine who will give the same in return.
Hopes are high, but the Bears head coach isn’t under any illusions. He sounded like a man who knows significant turnover is coming to this roster. Not just because he and GM Ryan Poles want to bring in their own players either. He also knows this new demanding team culture won’t be for everybody. It isn’t easy and takes a genuine passion for football. Some of the guys leftover from last year won’t be willing to make those sacrifices.
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Chicago Bears are entering an audition phase of sorts.
It is important to remember that this new coaching staff wants to make them better. That is their job. However, the reality is that they have no prior loyalties to anybody the team hasn’t signed in the past couple of weeks. Guys like Justin Fields, Roquan Smith, Jaylon Johnson, and a few others aren’t going anywhere. Everybody else can be considered expendable. That means they’re basically starting over from scratch.
If they want to stay beyond 2022, they have to earn it. That means playing well on the field. Keep this in mind. When the Chicago Bears went 5-11 in 2014, the regime was overhauled. Of the 22 starters on offense and defense from that team, only four made it beyond that first year under Ryan Pace and John Fox. That is how massive and rapid the turnover can be over the next calendar year.
If players are smart, they’ll take their cue from the coaches.
They need to bring energy and a sense of urgency to this season. Failing to make a positive impression almost certainly means they’ll be out of a job in 2023. Which of them will get the message before it’s too late remains to be seen.
