After a devastating loss to the Green Bay Packers, it is easy for the Chicago Bears to call it a season. While that has been the case before, we have also seen the Bears lose in week one to the Packers to follow it up by winning the division or making the playoffs. So, if the Bears do turn it around, what are some reasons to believe that things could get better before they play the Packers again?
3. The Chicago Bears have a good secondary
Lost in the fact that the Chicago Bears did not do enough on the defensive line this offseason is the reality that they have a good secondary. The Green Bay Packers controlled the line of scrimmage, but Jordan Love did not have many big passes. Romeo Doubs had two touchdowns, but he had under 30 yards receiving.
Aaron Jones and Luke Musgrave led the team in receiving, and according to PFF, the leaders in yards allowed were TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jack Sanborn. This makes sense, considering where the Packers got their yards.
Meanwhile, PFF credited Jaylon Johnson for 13 yards and Tyrique Stevenson with five yards allowed. Jaquan Brisker did not allow a catch. Eddie Jackson allowed a touchdown in man coverage, but he was excellent in his role as a free safety who keeps things in front of him.
Even Kyler Gordon was good, although he left the game with an injury. The defensive line is going to be an issue, but Yannick Ngakoue will get his stats at times. The linebackers cannot be this awful. The Chicago Bears will also face some teams that are not as strong up front, and it may allow the secondary to shine. Finally, we should anticipate Jackson creating turnovers and Brisker stuffing the stat sheet like last year. If the Bears' defense does get better, it is because of this unit.
2. The Chicago Bears have to use D.J. Moore more
The most shocking revelation from the Chicago Bears loss was how little D.J. Moore saw the football. The first quarter came and went without him even being targeted. While this is an indictment on Moore, who lost his matchup with Jaire Alexander, it is a bigger indictment on Justin Fields and mostly Luke Getsy.
For Fields, just give your guy a shot more. You see Jalen Hurts throw it deep to A.J. Brown even if he is covered, that is where the highlight plays come from. The two have to get on the same page faster, but you know it will not be this bad.
Beyond that, Getsy has to work to get him involved more. Call specific plays for your players, and do not worry about the system. A screen, sweep, and even a slant on the first play of the game to show that you are set on getting him the ball is important.
Moore caught two passes and moved the chains twice. He had 12 yards after the catch. He can make plays with the ball in his hand; this stat line was not an indictment of his play. The Chicago Bears will get him the ball more, and we know that when he gets the ball, good things happen. Good things will happen soon.
1. The Chicago Bears interior offensive line has time to gel
The Chicago Bears' interior offensive line was an absolute disaster on Sunday. Still, what did you expect? Cody Whitehair was the only one of the starters who consistently practiced this summer. Of course, he spent the summer practicing at center and then started week one at left guard.
Lucas Patrick has been bad when he has suited up for the Chicago Bears, and he has been injured almost the entirety of his tenure. He hardly practiced throughout training camp and was the starting center in week one. No wonder they turned it over on a sneak on their first drive.
Nate Davis somehow practiced less than Patrick this summer. He was the big free agent signing this summer, but he was a massive issue in this game. Devonte Wyatt had his way with Nate Davis, and Wyatt was very inconsistent as a rookie last season.
So, what do you get when you have three interior linemen and none of them have practiced together? You get a mess. The good news is that the group is now practicing together. Every day, they gain more experience than they ever have. They got the worst out of them, and the group should get better as they gel and hopefully stay healthier. If this group can hold up for a bit and Teven Jenkins can return, the group will not be this bad moving forward.