The Chicago Bears have a hard enough time winning football games dealing with each of their opponents. One thing everybody can agree on is they always seem to have calls go against them when the referees are involved. Either one of their players gets flagged in a big spot or a penalty by the opposition goes completely unpunished. The times this happens against the Packers alone can fill up an armored car.
It’s hard enough getting calls from highly experienced officiating crews. So try to imagine how much worse it could get when newbies get sprinkled into the mix. That is what will end up happening this season. While most people have focused on players and coaches in regards to opt outs for this year due to COVID-19, people didn’t stop to ask the equally big question.
What about the refs? A lot of these people are on the older side, which could make them more susceptible to infection. It stands to reason some of them may not want to take that risk. Sure enough according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, several have already chosen to pass on this year.
“Five game officials have opted out of the 2020 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL announced Friday, and a source told ESPN that two replay officials also have opted out.
The voluntary decisions, in conjunction with an agreement reached last week between the league and the NFL Referees Association, puts the league’s roster of officials at 114.”
Chicago Bears best be prepared for some rough calls
Coaches have a saying that goes back decades. Never leave a game in the hands of the officials. This could prove doubly true for the Bears this season. Combine their luck with bad calls with more inexperienced refs involved from week to week? That sounds like a recipe for some ugly moments to come unless the team plays much smarter and more disciplined than last season.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Either way, one thing is for sure. At some point in 2020, the Bears are going to have a game put in jeopardy by a terrible call. It happens every year. What will matter is how they handle that moment. Will they let it fester and infect the remainder of the game, or will they fight through it and win anyway? That is often what separates good teams from bad.