Glennon’s Reads Sink Bears, Cohen’s Targets Give Hope, Bouncing Back From 0-2, and Other Bullets

Over at Pro Football Rumors, Zach Link has a rundown of the nine 0-2 teams – which includes the Bears – and attempts to find which winless squad has the best chance of rebounding.

Between the never-ending pile of injuries and a blowout loss in Week 2, it feels like that painfully agonizing (but oddly tantalizing) loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 happened ages ago. It didn’t, and you can hang your hat on it if you’d like, because those are the kinds of games the Bears have played quite often under head coach John Fox.

In other words, once in a while they’ll pull out a win, but it hasn’t happened often enough (hence, the calls for the No. 2 pick and #2 QB Mitch Trubisky to unseat Mike Glennon). Link writes that those calls “could come quickly” and notes that Glennon ranks just 22nd in adjusted net yards per attempt. No matter how you slice it, he’s left much to be desired from a starter’s point of view.

But at least he’s trying and having fun completing passes, right?

  • The film study hasn’t been kind to Glennon either. Dan Durkin of The Athletic writes Glennon’s pre-determined reads have come back to bite the Bears. While Glennon isn’t the only reason the Bears are 0-2, he is partly responsible for the offense’s shortcomings in the passing game. Some of which had to do with his decision making when dropping back to pass, specifically against the Buccaneers. Glennon’s three first-half turnovers were direct blows that took his team out of the game for good and the group never recovered. For the Bears to be as competitive as they believe they are, Glennon needs to play near flawless football. And it starts with making better (and quicker) decisions in the pocket.
  • Despite his struggles, Glennon insists he isn’t looking over his shoulder. The Bears’ starting quarterback tells the Associated Press: “Some days are better than others. You’ve just got to stay even-keeled, focus on the upcoming series and you know just go out and execute.”
  • There hasn’t been much execution for the Bears offense, which ranks 19th in total offensive production and has scored just 24 points in two games. A 12.0 points per game average probably isn’t what the Bears had in mind when they entered the season with a quarterback who was supposed to limit turnovers, a bolstered running backs group that already featured a Pro Bowler, and a re-worked room of pass catchers.
  • At least Tanner Gentry is officially back in the fold with the practice squad.
  • But who needs Gentry when fellow rookie Tarik Cohen has been more receiver than running back so far. Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus notes that Cohen has been targeted on 39.2 percent of his routes in his first two games, which is the highest percentage for a running back through two weeks since PFF started tracking such stats. Cohen has been on the field for 51.9 percent of the Bears’ offensive snaps this season. And of those 68 reps, 52 have come on pass plays. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been creative in using Cohen, but the offense still lacks diversity beyond the rookie speedster.
  • Jahnke also brings up another nugget that should be of interest to the Bears: The Steelers left guard, Ramon Foster, is one of just two left guards to have over 500 pass blocks since the start of 2016 and not allow a sack. This makes potential matchups against defensive end Akiem Hicks and nose tackle Eddie Goldman worth highlighting on Sunday.
  • Speaking of the Steelers’ offense, here is a scary thought courtesy of Ben Roethlisberger, who told Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offensive improvements are on the way. “I don’t know if it will ever get to our expectations,” Roethlisberger told the Post-Gazette. “If we expect perfect and put the bar really high … we should set goals that are almost unattainable so you can just be the best you can be. We’re not worried about guys that missed time. We’re winning football games. We’re getting better and making improvements.”
  • A team with a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, an all-world running back, an all-universe receiver, and one of the best head coaches in the game has room to improve, is making improvements, and is just three days from stepping onto the Soldier Field turf. If I was scheming against this offense, I’d have trouble sleeping the next few days.
  • Promise not to do make this same mistake against Antonio Brown:
  • The Bears stopped the Eagles from being the second team to poach their practice squad this season, when they added safety DeAndre Houston-Carson to the active roster, tweets Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. If you recall, Dieugot Joseph was snagged by the Baltimore Ravens earlier in a week full of roster movement, but the Bears ensured their former sixth-round pick, Houston-Carson, was going nowhere.
  • And finally, former Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer is quarterbacking the San Francisco 49ers – one of the other 0-2 teams looking to bounce back – and it turns out he has had plenty of time to throw, but hasn’t done much with it:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    more bears news