The Chicago Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, giving young quarterback Brett Hundley his first win since taking over for Aaron Rodgers. Many bears’ fans may want to put the blame squarely on the controversial coach’s challenge that turned a first and goal for the Bears into a touchback for the Packers. However, the Bears have won only three games this year, and two of those wins came in overtime, so controversial calls cannot be the only thing to blame.
Young quarterback Mitch Trubisky isn't getting help with his growing pains
Mitch Trubisky had a solid performance against the Packers, completing 21/35 passes for 297 yards and one touchdown.
More importantly, he threw no interceptions in the game. It seems that the #rookie quarterback is getting better. He is certainly a more inspiring leader than Mike Glennon was when he occupied the starting spot. Jordan Howard, Trubisky’s running back, put up a disappointing performance picking up only 54 yards in 15 plays.
Trubisky’s receivers have put on a lackluster performance as well. Trubisky’s touchdown pass was caught by Josh Bellamy, who is notorious for cracking under pressure this season. None of Mitch Trunisky’s receivers have stepped up significantly for him or Mike Glennon this season. In fact, things have gotten so bad for the Bears that Trubisky’s top receiver against the Packers was Dontrelle Inman, who was just acquired from the Chargers.
Inman may be the missing piece to the Bears' receiving corps has needed, but a new question arises. Why haven’t the guys who have been here all season been able to fill that role for the rookie quarterback?
The lack of discipline from the Bears is apparent, and it’s getting old
The Bears had eight penalties called against them in the game against the Packers.
The Bears have drawn five or more penalties in 7 out of 9 games so far. Most of these penalties are being called against an ununited offensive line, which has been a carousel of injured players.
From unsportsmanlike conduct calls to simply missed snap counts, the o-line continues to plague an already weakened offensive. Any football fan will tell you that a disciplined group of misfits can hold their own and have successful scoring drives.
But in the case of the Bears, their biggest threat to the offense has been their own mistakes. On average, offensive penalties have cost the Bears 53.5 yards per game. That is simply unacceptable, especially when your quarterback is still trying to gain his bearings in the NFL.
The defense has been hot and cold
In the era of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, the Bears' defense was referred to as “The Monsters of the Midway” and terrified opposing offenses in Chicago and on the road. Their consistency is what made them a threat around the league.
In contrast, Akiem Hicks and the Bears' defense finally seem to have the right combination to reclaim the once feared title, but seem to be missing the secret element that really brings it all together.
In week 7 of the season, the Bears' defense made a mockery of Cam Newton and the Panther’s offense, scoring two defensive touchdowns and allowing only 3 points.
Expectations for the defense were high coming into the Packers’ game. The Bears were coming back from a bye week while the Packers had just suffered a devastating loss against the Lions Monday night. Yet, despite the Packers’ offense using a second-string quarterback and a third-string running back, the Bears' defense allowed 23 points and produced 0 takeaways.
John Fox can't find the magic in Chicago
John Fox has built a reputation as a championship coach in the NFL. He took over as head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2002 and turned a 1-15 team into a super bowl contender.
He went on to coach the Broncos in 2011 and in 2013 made them a super bowl team as well. Fox himself has an issue with consistency, he whips subpar teams into fierce competitors, but fails to maintain them. The Bears have been an anomaly in John Fox’s career. He has yet to find the right chemistry to make them a contender in the NFC North let alone the NFL.
The final verdict
The fundamental problem with the Bears right now is discipline. In previous years, Bears fans had Jay Cutler to blame for the team’s inability to be a force in the NFL. Cutler has moved on to Miami and the problems still exist. Mike Glennon was easy to blame as he was nothing more than a placeholder as the Bears solidified their offense for the season.
The Bears have bet the future of the organization on Mitch Trubisky. Their only hope lies in keeping him long enough to develop an offense around him. For now, the offense continues to be its own worst enemy, and no one is stepping up to help the rookie quarterback.
The defense hasn’t been conditioned to be a consistent force in the league. Overall, the source of these issues is at the top. John Fox’s coaching staff has had plenty of excuses for the team’s poor performance in his tenure here. But with Jay Cutler gone and the talent potential in Chicago at a high point, don’t be surprised if it's John Fox that’s on the chopping block before the 2018 season.
