The Chicago Bears are 2-3, having lost two in a row in frustrating fashion to the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. There are multiple reasons why this is the case. Defensively they haven’t been able to stop the run. Offensively it’s a simple matter of not scoring enough points. Too many drives have stalled out before they ever got going because of bad mistakes. Nobody embodies this reality more than wide receiver Dante Pettis.
It is becoming hard to defend the Bears on this. There is zero justification for them to keep playing him week after week when it’s becoming apparent the guy is untrustworthy. Outside of that fantastic 51-yard touchdown (which was a busted coverage), he’s done nothing since. If anything, he’s been a liability. He has three drops between the last two games, all of which cost the Bears potential first downs that would’ve extended drives. This has gone on long enough.
3rd quarter back to back plays. Bears are down 5 & Justin Fields does everything he can to keep the drive going. Wesco not securing the Edge and Pettis dropping the ball leads to a punt.
What more could have Fields done here? #DaBears #Bears #Chicago pic.twitter.com/1TUg4EbHSX
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 3, 2022
Dante Pettis had two big drops on 3rd down. I like his speed and route running ability but these are HUGE plays. If you can’t catch you can’t play. #DaBears #Bears #bearsvikings pic.twitter.com/fgVc7A9aLF
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 10, 2022
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The Chicago Bears now have a valid excuse to bench Pettis.
Velus Jones is back from his hamstring injury and scored a touchdown last week. He needs to get more snaps on offense. Now N’Keal Harry is fixing to join him. The former 1st round pick was activated off Injured Reserve by the Bears, fully recovered from his ankle injury a few weeks ago. There is no longer a valid excuse for Pettis to get more opportunities. One can make the case he’s gotten too many already.
It is unfortunate the former 2nd round pick couldn’t revive his career here. The Chicago Bears were probably his last realistic chance to fulfill his potential. Sadly he was undone by the same issues that dogged him for the past several years. He can’t play with any consistency. Teams need receivers that are reliable. Justin Fields targeted him five times over the past two games. Pettis failed to make a single catch.
There is no defending that. Head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy must put a merciful end to this charade.
