The hits keep coming for the Bears.
But instead of dishing ’em out, they’re taking ’em from all different angles.
On the field, it’s Aaron Rodgers one week, then Tom Brady the next. And off of it, the Bears are dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases at Halas Hall. Hence, this update from Tribune reporter Dan Wiederer, who shares that Halas Hall will be closed to reporters on Tuesday. What happens after that is still unknown to reporters. Nevertheless, we’re looking at the Bears taking on another unexpected hurdle during a turbulent time.
Covering the Bears is tough as it is, but traditional media being unable to cover the team at its home base makes it that much more difficult. That group of reporters unearths so much insight and background, you really don’t want to see them unable to do their job to its full extent.
As for what it means for the Bears working at Halas Hall:
After a series of recent positive COVID tests, the #Bears are now in enhanced mitigation protocols, per source. Among other things, that means mandatory mask-wearing and daily testing for all players and staff, regardless of vaccination status.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2021
On the one hand, this might seem tedious. But on the other hand, it’s necessary. The NFL did well in learning from the short-comings and mistakes other professional sports leagues were making with their COVID-19 protection protocols. That the Bears have to adhere to these protocols stinks for everyone involved in the process. But it’s better than the alternative of making a bad situation worse. Or perhaps worse than that, allowing things to spiral to the point where a game cancellation happens.
Remember, there are significant repercussions if push comes to shove and a team has to forfeit a game that can’t be rescheduled if unvaccinated players cause an outbreak and cancellation.
It’s not much of a consolation, but at least the Bears have a contingency plan in place heading into this week. With Matt Nagy testing positive for COVID-19, he won’t be able to do in-person instructions until further notice. That leaves Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor running everything that Nagy can’t. Meanwhile, coordinators Bill Lazor (offense) and Sean Desai (defense) will work with their respective groups. Again, this just piles onto the challenges Chicago’s football team already faces. But who knows … maybe stripping it down to bare bones this week will help simplify matters for a team needing to get back to basics in order to get back into the win column.