Eight years. That’s the number running around inside the head of Chicago Bears fans, players, coaches and ownership these days. It’s how long this franchise has gone without making the playoffs. Not only that, it’s been five years since they managed to avoid having a losing record. From 2014 through 2017 it’s been a miserable slog through the mud for Bears football. Such things make it hard to be optimistic about 2018.
At this point, all anybody can say is the team “looks” improved from where it was at the end of last season. The receiving corps saw a gigantic influx of young talent spearheaded by Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller. The offensive line got a boost from James Daniels while first round pick Roquan Smith is expected to take over command control in the middle of their defense.
Above anything else, though it’s not about talent anymore. The problem is this Bears team just doesn’t know how to win. They’ve been losing for so long that they’ve either forgotten or never learned what it takes. That’s why Matt Nagy was hired as head coach. As he told Dan Pompei of The Athletic, it’s about instilling the right mindset.
“You treat people the right way and what they do ultimately is work harder, try harder and are more passionate about what they do,” he said. “It becomes infectious. It’s a good vibe. I think right now we’re feeling that. But I remind the guys, and myself all the time, that we haven’t done anything yet.”
Belief inside Chicago Bears building is they break the streak this year
For those who don’t know, the franchise record for longest playoff drought sits at 13. It stretched from 1964 to 1976. During that span, the Bears had just two winning seasons and endured a stretch of seven-straight losing campaigns at one point. It was considered the darkest period in team history. After four-straight since 2014, it’s starting to feel that way all over again.
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However, I was told that the atmosphere inside the locker room away from the cameras is different. Not only is there a new air of optimism, but also growing confidence. The Bears don’t just plan to improve upon their 5-11 record from last year. They have much bigger expectations.
“Everyone, from the coaching staff to all of the players are of the belief the playoff drought will be broken this year.”
That certainly is a major goal. Not an easy one to achieve by any stretch. The Bears play in one of the toughest divisions in the league, for starters. The Minnesota Vikings went to the NFC championship. The Green Bay Packers are getting Aaron Rodgers back. Even the Detroit Lions made the playoffs two years ago. It’s a stacked deck.
Then there are other NFC powers they’ll have to navigate in order to make it, including the Seahawks and Rams among others. Are the Bears so improved that they feel they can beat anybody? It seems that’s the growing belief. They have lots of proving to do, but Bears fans certainly hope this is the case.
