Losing is never easy to watch. Losing in a blowout is worse. The Chicago Bears have suffered that indignity twice in 2022, falling 27-10 to Green Bay in Week 2 and 49-29 to the Dallas Cowboys. One would think the second loss feels worse since it’s by even more points. The truth is far different. Bears fans are under no illusions about this team. While the blowout win in New England was fun, this is still a rebuilding team. Dallas reminded everybody of that.
Yet there is a significant silver lining to this loss that wasn’t there six weeks ago. That is Justin Fields. The young quarterback had another strong, efficient performance with 251 total yards and three touchdowns. His passer rating has now risen above 93 in the past four games, a massive improvement from the 58 he nursed through the first four. The fact he’s managed to do this against two of the most talented, well-coached defenses in the league speaks volumes.
He has no stars around him but improves anyway. That is the sign of a good quarterback. So not only do the Bears have this knowledge but they also saw their 2023 draft position improve with the loss. Current projections have them selecting 12th next year.
This Chicago Bears season was about evaluating Fields.
Yes, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus wanted to determine what other players might be part of their big picture, but everything circles around the quarterback. It was a simple question for the GM and head coach. Do they have their guy, or do they need to start making plans for a change? Eight games into the season, it’s a safe assumption they have their answer. Fields is the best player on the Bears’ offense, and it’s not particularly close.
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It looks like this guy is a solid offensive line and two good receivers away from becoming a legitimate stud. The obvious challenge is achieving those goals. Poles has set his team up well for this opportunity. The Chicago Bears have $120 million in salary cap space and five picks in the first four rounds of the 2023 draft. That gives them significant opportunities to find difference-makers for this offense. Having a higher draft position will only help those odds.
So yeah, as losses go it was a good one for the Bears.
The first thing they need to lose is those orange helmets.
I am just glad the team understands where the talent is and is breaking it down.
Seems like most of the problems yesterday started with that porous D-line not getting any pressure on Prescott, nor holding the point of attack outside or run gaps inside (LBs not shedding blocks didn’t help). And that trickled down to our DBs having to cover longer. Poles will hopefully prioritize the trenches first.
How many defensive players lost their jobs for 2023 by not being focussed and ready to play yesterday?
The Bears Needs in Order of Priority
1. A center with a bad attitude and skills in the mold of Olin Kruetz
2. A run stopper that can also pressure the qb up the middle
3. An impact end or linebacker that demands game planning
4. A true #1 receiver, a game wrecker
From what we have seen of the current roster, players at the four positions radically improve this TEAM.
Upgrades and depth are need in multiple areas, but just four players turn this group into a Top Ten TEAM.