Chicago Bears fans should get used to this trend with new coaches

With new coaches and management for the Chicago Bears in the door, we are constantly learning about how they prioritize things, and where they stand on specific debate points. One thing that we are quickly learning about Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus is that they preach patience, consistency, and a whole week of practice.

If you have noticed a theme throughout the season, it is that the team slowly plays everything, and is wary of making any changes.

Chicago Bears preach caution with players’ snap counts

First, they were not sure to make Teven Jenkins a full-time starting right guard, after he did not get full work in training camp, so he was in a timeshare. Then, they did not want to move Sam Mustipher away from center because that had been his spot for weeks, so a healthy Lucas Patrick remained out of position.

The Chicago Bears traded for N’Keal Harry and Chase Claypool. Harry slowly inched to the lineup but wound up taking a step back. Claypool just now moved to wide receiver three snaps in his third week, and even Velus Jones has no trust by the coaches. The players they trust are Equanimeous St. Brown, and Dante Pettis, the two guys who did not miss any practice in training camp.

They have been even more cautious when it comes to injuries. Typically if a player is not practicing by Wednesday, they are not just going to rush onto the field. We saw that with Teven Jenkins, who returned to practice but did so late in the week.

The Chicago Bears felt more comfortable with Michael Schofield considering he practiced all week. They have done the same with Jaylon Johnson when he is on the edge but did not get a full week of practice.

This is not a knock on the Chicago Bears or a praise of them but really just a note to remember. They prefer continuity over anything. They prefer giving the player an extra week to get acclimated or to get healthy.

You should not expect to see the team rush a player back from injury when he is closer, but not quite ready, and once a player is back after missing extended time, they may not get a full workload right away. That is how the team has operated from day through the most recent game they played.