As the Chicago Bears approach week four, it's a pivotal moment in their season. A loss, dropping them to 1-3, would put them in a tough spot. Securing a win at home and maintaining an undefeated home record is crucial as they face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday. While there's still a long way to go in the 2024 NFL season, I want to highlight some of the biggest disappointments we've seen so far.
D'Andre Swift, RB
Back in March, Swift signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chicago Bears, including $15.3 million in guaranteed money. However, this deal is now shaping up to be one of the worst moves in free agency. Swift is struggling, averaging just 1.8 yards per carry with 37 rushing attempts for a total of 68 yards. He was expected to play a key role in the passing game but has only managed 6 receptions on 10 targets for 46 yards and has also dealt with some drops. As a result, the Bears may be reconsidering their running back situation, with head coach Matt Eberflus possibly giving more opportunities to Roschon Johnson in the upcoming game against the Rams. Swift has undoubtedly been the biggest disappointment on the Bears roster.
Shane Waldron, OC
In April, Seahawks superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba raised concerns about the Bears hiring Seattle's former offensive coordinator. Now, after three games, it seems we should have listened to his warning. The Bears lack an offensive identity, except for relying on speed options on 4th and goal. All in all, Shane must improve quickly; otherwise, he risks being a one-and-done coach in Chicago.
Keenan Allen, WR
We all expected that Keenan Allen wouldn’t play a full season, but missing two out of the first three games is disappointing. The good news is that he has started practicing in a limited capacity, according to Matt Eberflus on Wednesday. It looks like Allen is making progress and could potentially return against the Rams on Sunday. Whether his missed time is disappointing depends on who you ask; I anticipated he would miss some games, just not this early in the season.
The entire Bears offensive line
There isn't much good to say here. Every Bears offensive linemen have struggled at various times, and they need to improve. Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan should also be on the hot seat. Each week, there are several clips that highlight significant issues with the line. Ryan Poles will need to focus on drafting heavy for the offensive line next year, as protecting Caleb Williams should be their top priority.
Matt Eberflus, HC
If the Bears hadn’t pulled off a comeback win against the Titans, they would be 0-3. This is concerning for a team that started slowly last year, starting off 0-4. It’s not a positive trend for Matt Eberflus’s teams. The offseason overhaul seems to have lost it's impact. While the new style looks cool, what fans really want are wins. Eberflus needs to deliver those wins; otherwise, he may find himself out of a job next year.
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