The Chicago Bears cannot go on and act like everything is fine. Yes, week one can provide strange outcomes and things that do not hold up this season. However, the Bears getting waxed by the rival Green Bay Packers once again, even without Aaron Rodgers, is not something that they can just accept.
No, this does not mean firing coaches or benching Justin Fields. Those are a bit too rash at this point, and they would not help the team right now. The team can make some quick changes, though.
3. The Chicago Bears must play Roschon Johnson earlier
The Chicago Bears ended the game with a bit of a rotation, and rookie Roschon Johnson led the team in snaps. However, early into the game, it was Khalil Herbert leading the way. The issue is that the Bears are a strong running team, and with Herbert, they could not get much going on the ground. The offensive line had a lot to do with it, but when Roschon Johnson came in, he was the better runner.
The issue with Herbert is that he likes to push runs to the outside and avoid contact. He is not a punisher who can pick up a couple of yards on inside runs to keep things moving forward. That running style can help with a bad offensive line, as falling forward can set up more manageable plays.
Beyond that, Johnson was the smoothest pass catcher and is the best pass blocker. If Herbert goes back to his complimentary role where he is the change of pace back behind a grinder, you could see more big plays. However, one 2nd and seven, if you want to set up third and short, he may not be the guy to put his head down and truck ahead. This is where the Chicago Bears need a power runner like Johnson to lead the way.
2. The Chicago Bears have to activate Equanimeous St. Brown
One small surprise from week one was seeing Equanimeous St. Brown inactive. Then, when you watched the game plan, it was even more shocking. One of the best reasons to keep ESB active would be to get him on the field as a blocker. He fights hard in this area and does the small things well.
If the Chicago Bears do not need that role, so be it, but on Sunday, they obviously did. The Packers run defense was poor, and the Bears tried to expose it, but as we noted, Herbert struggled. Beyond that, the team was heavy on the screen game, but so many were getting blown up. If only they had a good blocking wide receiver out there.
Chase Claypool tried to fill that role and looked awful. The team has to accept that while Claypool looks like a big-bodied wide out he does not play like it. St. Brown can at least block. It does not mean making Claypool inactive, but they have to get St. Brown out there for a few snaps. Beyond that, he can play special teams, so it is not like they are just activating him to get a few run-blocking snaps in.
We are not saying this will fix the run game or that D.J. Moore will have a 60-yard touchdown on a screen every time St. Brown plays. However, if the Bears want to play the style they do, they have to play St. Brown.
1. The Chicago Bears must target D.J. Moore early
The lack of targets for D.J. Moore was pretty stunning for week one. You can say that Jaire Alexander showed up and shut down Moore and that credit is deserved. However, at the same time, you have to blame the offensive coordinator for not working the ball into his hands more.
Remember the preseason when they immediately threw the ball to Moore, and he ripped off a huge touchdown run? Get the ball in his hands. They ran two screens to Darnell Mooney for -2 yards. Moore did not get any plays where the call was specifically for him to get the ball from the snap like they did with Mooney.
This makes no sense. The team wanted a big-name receiver for Fields to grow with. Yes, it is on him to get open, but it is on the Chicago Bears to get the ball in his hands. He is excellent after the catch and is obviously good at screens. Heck, even call a play where he runs and lets Fields take a shot down the field. He had no deep targets on Sunday. The Chicago Bears need to use Moore better and more often. They cannot just chalk that up to Jaire Alexander.