There's no denying the Chicago Bears have struggled since losing to the Washington Commanders on a miracle Hail Mary pass at the end of the game. Just how bad have things gotten? Since this devastating loss, the Bears have gone 0-7 and are looking to end this forgettable season as soon as possible.
In what was a hot start to the season, the Bears went 4-2 and looked like dark horse contenders in the packed NFC North. It seems all the momentum from this strong start has withered away since losing to the Commanders.
One problem cursing the Bears is their offense. The numbers tell the bulk of the Bears' woes on the offensive side of the ball. Since the Washington loss, they have posted less than 20 points in five games, per Pro Football Reference. They've averaged just 289.6 yards per game, which is good for 31st in the league behind only the Carolina Panthers.
When an offense struggles to move the chains at this rate, there are several issues at play. Pass protection just might be the biggest. The Bears offense line isn't giving rookie quarterback Caleb Williams enough time to throw the ball. They've allowed 58 sacks this season, tied for most in the league with the Cleveland Browns, per StatMuse.
The Washington Commanders' loss ended the Chicago Bears' 2024 season.
These offensive struggles have led to a disastrous rookie year for Caleb Williams. Back in the preseason, Williams was one of the favorites to win rookie of the year. Now, he's just trying to stay upright behind a makeshift offensive line. It's a harsh reality for a team that took pride in building a great situation for a rookie quarterback on paper. While the Bears looked talented on paper, it hasn't shown on the gridiron.
This was the third year of the Bears' rebuild. It was supposed to be the year that made all the losing worth the wait. It was supposed to be the year they finally found their quarterback, made the playoffs, and extended Matt Eberflus's contract. With just three games left, Williams' career arc is looking awfully familiar to previous Bears quarterbacks. Eberflus is gone, and the team is hoping they can win another game.
We haven't seen a team go completely off the rails to this extent after a loss in a very long time. The loss to the Commanders was devastating for the Bears. The fact they haven't won since should tell you all you need to know.
There's not much hope the Bears can win another game thanks to tough matchups against the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers to close out the season. The only upside to this is it might lead to the Bears getting another top 10 draft pick. The Bears are projected to pick ninth in the 2025 NFL Draft.