As the 2023 season approached, most fans were optimistic. Ryan Poles had done an amazing job, adding talent to every position group. Justin Fields was lighting up Halas Hall practice fields with highlight throws to new WR DJ Moore. Chase Claypool was arguably the best performer in camp. This was the year to finally take down Green Bay, as all eyes were glued to the season opener against the Packers.
The offense sputtered, the defense collapsed, and Chicago got embarrassed for what seemed to be the 100th straight time by the Packers. What followed was a nightmare for all Bears fans. Alan Williams resigned after allegations of inappropriate activities. The offense sputtered again in a loss at Tampa. The defense was shredded in week three by Kansas City.
The offense started to click in week four. Justin Fields threw four TDs and 335 yards. The Bears were finally on their way to a victory. Suddenly, Luke Getsy changed to an ultra-conservative offense. Simultaneously, the defense collapsed. Denver scored 24 unanswered points and erased a 28-7 Bears lead, winning 31-28.
Fans were frustrated and started calling for the Bears to fire Matt Eberflus. Thinking the extra time between their week five game that was scheduled for Thursday and week six, was time to get an interim coach in place before their week six game at home against division rival Minnesota.
But Chicago won at Washington 40-20 on that Thursday night. Chicago entered the game as 6-point underdogs and won convincingly. Fields threw 4 touchdowns (three to D J Moore), and it appeared the Bears had turned a corner.
Since beginning the season 0-4, the Bears have split their last eight games but have yet to win consecutive games under Matt Eberflus. Justin Fields missed 4 1/2 games with a dislocated thumb. Tyson Bagent, the free-agent rookie backup, managed to win two of his four starts. When Fields returned, he tore up the division-leading Detroit Lions, guiding the Bears to a 26-14 lead with just 4:00 remaining in regulation.
The Bears defense collapsed again. Luke Getsy's play calling was suspect, again being too conservative, and the Lions proceeded to score 17 points in under three minutes, and the 31-26 loss sent Chicago to a record of 3-8.
Kenneth Davis, from NBC Sports, summed it up best for all Bears fans Wednesday night on the podcast "The Halatek Hall Show."
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Kenneth Davis, speaking on the Halatek Hall Show
He echoed the sentiments of every Bears fan. We are sick and tired of watching the Bears sub-par teams. Since 1996, Chicago has had ONLY SEVEN winning seasons. They have not won a postseason game since 2010.
There are signs this team is prepared to finally make a turnaround. The defense is now performing at a high level. The offense has a legit line. If Getsy can use Fields appropriately, the offense can be competitive. But the best they can finish is 9-8. One more loss this season and Chicago will have its 21st season with a record of .500 or worse, since 1996.
The NFC North appears to be wide open for the foreseeable future. There is no time like the present for the Bears to finally dig themselves out of the dreadful string of losing seasons most of the last two generations of Bears fans have been stuck with.
New and Notes
You can catch the full episode of "The Halatek Hall Show" with guest Keeneth Davis @thatsdavis by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuYm-qd0CHA&t=137s
