The Chicago Bears' 0-2 start this year is actually somehow worse than the year before because they started the season 1-0. They have lost 12 straight games. Last year, it was expected, but this year, the expectations were that a step would be taken. Now that the Bears are 0-2 and staring down 0-3, what are the biggest issues that should concern fans?
3. The Chicago Bears secondary is not living up to expectations
An underrated concern has to be the Chicago Bears' secondary. This was supposed to be a homegrown group. Eddie Jackson was extended, while Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon were all second-round picks. Only Johnson was inherited by Ryan Pace.
Considering Poles drafted cornerbacks in the second round back-to-back years and added a second-round safety, the secondary had to be the strength of their team. Yes, they played Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Yes, the pass rush does not help. Still, Ryan Poles chose these guys over pass rushers because he thought he could win with this secondary. He cannot.
Jackson got hurt, another foot-related injury, which is concerning. Gordon is already hurt after an awful rookie season. Stevenson was abused by Mike Evans on Sunday, which is a tough ask. Still, the Bears cannot ask Jaylon Johnson to do much besides play one side and defend the sideline in zone. He is not great at moving around or defending in-breaking routes. Jaquan Brisker almost had a turnover, which I guess is nice.
The Chicago Bears had to rely on this unit, and it is failing them in a major way. They could not turn Baker Mayfield over or at least hold Mike Evans to 150 yards. This is concerning because a lot of the building blocks of the team were in that secondary Sunday.
2. The Chicago Bears have to be nervous about Justin Fields
This one is obvious at this point. You can blame the play calling, and the offensive line, and the skill players, and whatever you want. At some point, you have to look around and realize that Justin Fields has to take some accountability for the blame.
The questions about him before the draft were that he would lock onto one read for too long, and that he had to wait to see receivers open, and he did not do well at anticipating them. We are now three years into the NFL, and there are a lot of the same issues.
The Chicago Bears were driving close to the red zone, trailing 10-7. He took two sacks that cannot be blamed on the scheme or the skill players because the guys were open. The offensive line bought him time. On one sack, he stepped into pressure, and on the other, he held the football for way too long.
There were two or three plays where D.J. Moore would throw his hand up wondering why the ball was not coming his way because he was open. The excuses are over. Justin Fields was bad on Sunday and was one of the biggest issues. If he does not play better, the Bears are going to have to look in another direction.
1. The Chicago Bears have issues from the top down
Arguably the biggest issue of all is the combination of Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus. They seem to be aligned in their philosophy, but the philosophy does not work. Eberflus is a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator.
So, it is no shock that he wanted the team to draft secondary players and linebackers. Ryan Poles gave Eberflus his guys. He drafted cornerback in the second round twice, he took a second-round safety, and the biggest name free agents Poles has signed are linebackers.
However, the point of Eberflus being a good defensive coach is that he should be able to make the unit better. Now, the team is losing serious investments on offense, and the defense is not even good. That is because Poles and Eberflus neglected the defensive line for two straight offseasons.
DeMarcus Walker would probably be appreciated as a rotational rusher if he did not have to start. Yannick Ngakoue was signed in training camp for a reason, and Justin Jones only looked good last year because everyone else on the line was so bad. Now, Poles added Zacch Pickens and Gervon Dexter instead of Jalen Carter, and neither has been able to make an impact.
This dup is concerning. Their style and the way they plan to win football games is not working, and you have to wonder if time will just allow them to instill more of these losing ways into the franchise.