It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Blurst of Times: Packers 45, Bears 30

In an oversimplification of things, here’s this: Matt Nagy’s team scored a season-high 30 points. And in isolation, that’s impressive. Hey, don’t give me that look! I invented that look. Let’s be fair and think about it. The Bears put up 30 points, on the road, against a division opponent (one that had extra time to prepare because it was coming off a bye), on national television, and against a team with realistic Super Bowl potential. Justin Fields also created 298 yards of total offense, scoring two touchdowns in the process.

But it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. Definitely not enough to not lose by double digits. And certainly not enough to change any minds about how the organization go about moving forward with the future.

The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 45-30, but even that score doesn’t truly capture everything. Then again, it doesn’t have to because it represents a snapshot of everything that is the Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy era in Chicago.

⇒   It was the best of times. Oh, hey! That’s how this was supposed to look. There were splash plays by the offense. Plays … as in plural. One of the core concepts of Nagy’s offense was supposed to be creating mismatches with formations that get fast guys the ball in space. And that is exactly what went down on Damiere Byrd’s touchdown reception:

Using misdirection to scheme guys open was supposed to be a staple, too. It really hasn’t been since 2018. But for one shining moment, Jakeem Grant Sr. made a play:

I don’t know why these types of looks don’t happen more often. But that they haven’t happened more often is why this coaching staff is sitting on the hottest of hot seats.

⇒   It was the blurst of times. If you were searching for indictments on GM Ryan Pace and Head Coach Matt Nagy, they were there for you all night long. Even when things were going well for the Bears, they were omnipresent.

•   Punting on 4th-and-short down by 11 with 8 minutes, 40 seconds left in the game is at the top of my list of reasons pointing out how necessary coaching changes are for this team.

•   So. Many. Darn. Hitch routes. Things I enjoy watching: Hitch, the movie starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes that is a hopeless romantic’s dream story. Things I do not enjoy watching: Never-ending hitch routes that are so predictable, opposing defensive backs run them as good (and sometimes, better) than the receivers in action. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a place for a crisp comeback route as part of a combination of plays. It creates easy completions when deployed properly, and opens up hitch-n-go opportunities. But not when they’re the primary route seemingly every snap. That one’s on the coaching.

•   As for the front office, that secondary remains a primary concern. Artie Burns, Kindle Vildor, and Xavier Crawford playing significant reps is damming for this front office. Pace really put a first-year defensive coordinator in a spot in which the cornerbacks on the depth chart behind 2020 second-rounder Jaylon Johnson were a 2019 sixth-round pick (Crawford) with just 12 defensive snaps under his belt since entering the league, a 2020 fifth-round pick (Vildor) who was in on just 13 percent of defensive snaps last year, a reclamation project coming off an ACL injury (Burns), and a 2019 sixth-round pick (Duke Shelley) who didn’t play tonight because he is on IR. Those are your best options? In 2021? When the NFL is a pass-first league? When Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers sling it like crazy? That bugs me to my core.

⇒   The quote that says it all:

Unfortunately, for Nagy, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be the coach who will get to see it through if this team becomes what that first-half flash was showing.

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

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...

The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

Latest News

Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Spencer Strider will take the ball for the Atlanta Braves when they take on starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game,...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Milwaukee Bucks at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires only one trifecta from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under...

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

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...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen gets the start, and he'll go against Colorado's Kyle Freeland.Diamondbacks vs. Rockies...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners begin their season as -155 favorites in a home tilt against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN.Luis Castillo takes the mound for Seattle while Brayan Bello is Boston's starter for...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians start their season as road favorites (-156) in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane Bieber and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the...

Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, and if the Bucks' Damian Lillard drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two trifectas from Brook Lopez.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's over/under for...

Giannis Antetokounmpo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans, and Giannis Antetokounmpo's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Giannis Antetokounmpo's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansGiannis Antetokounmpo's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

more bears news