Jayden Daniels puts dagger in Chicago Bears' playoff hopes

There is a sense of irony that the same team that started the dysfunction for the Chicago Bears, the Washington Commanders, in Week 8. is now the reason the Bears' playoff chances are officially over.

The rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders squeaked out a 20-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, thus eliminating the Bears from playoff contention.

With a record of 4-9, the Bears' playoff chances were all but over but the Commanders' victory on Sunday provided the official confirmation.

Entering their Week 8 game against the Commanders, the Bears had a record of 4-2 and figured to be a part of the Wild Card conversation for the remainder of the season. The only thing the Commanders' game proved for the Bears were that they were pretenders.

There is an alternate universe where Matt Eberflus took accountability for his part in the Bears' loss to the Commanders and the team was able to rally from adversity. Instead, the loss ignited a seven-game losing streak that has featured the firings of Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Bears' officially eliminated from playoff contention, what's next?

There is a very real chance that the Bears do not find another win this offseason. The four remaining teams that the Bears have on their scheduled are all fighting for a spot in the playoffs and picking the Bears to find a victory feels like a thoughtless exercise. Such a scenario would signal an 11-game losing streak for the Bears to end a season where the stated goal was to reach the playoffs.

Eberflus and Waldron deserve their share of the blame but Ryan Poles isn't immune either. In fact, with the leaks beginning to emerge, powers that be in the Bears' organization (cough, Kevin Warren, cough) may be plotting a direction where the Bears move on from Poles after the season.

It would be a bold decision, but one that may be necessary following the Bears' colossal failure in the 2024 season.