How do you feel about the MNF double-dips? One of my friends likes them and wishes that it would become the norm. I’m sure they aren’t alone in feeling this way. Patrick has more on the Eagles’ win against the Bucs and the Bengals beating the Rams.
- That Eagles win figures to be talked about a bunch today in Bears circles because Philly rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter had another strong performance. Carter was credited with a half-sack, one quarterback hit, and two forced fumbles. We’re just three games into Carter’s career and he is on a 17-game pace to reach 8 sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 11 forced fumbles. Those are goofy video game numbers. And they’d look really good in the middle of a Bears defense that needs it. However, I’m not playing the “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” game with him like many are doing.
- If you’ll recall, Chicago passed on drafting Carter with the ninth pick and flipped spots with Philadelphia who gladly took him. The Eagles were well-equipped to handle the baggage that came with drafting Carter. (Also: I’m sorry, I’m not just going to gloss over the off-the-field transgressions, a performance at his pro day in which he didn’t look like he cared, and that his coaches who knew him best wouldn’t vouch for him — it was understandable why a team like the Bears would pass on that situation. Eight other teams also passed on him, too.) Meanwhile, the Bears are not well-equipped to deal with that stuff. Head Coach Matt Eberflus seems like he is way over his head. If you think this regime is fumbling the bag with Fields, what makes you think Carter would be any different?
- And then there is this: If the Bears draft Jalen Carter, then we’re probably doing the same thing but with Darnell Wright’s name instead of Carter. We’d be bemoaning the fact that the Bears didn’t take an offensive lineman. And we’d be up in arms trying to fairly evaluate the quarterback playing behind a piecemeal offensive line. In other words, we’d still be talking about a mess — it’s just that it would be in a different place.
- No, the irony is not lost on me that Chicago passed on drafting Carter and George Pickens (who reportedly had some “red flags” scaring off coaches) due to potential character concerns and culture fits when the Bears have culture issues of their own. At some point, we (as a collective) need to unearth why the culture at Halas Hall seems to constantly stink. This is unacceptable for a charter franchise.
- This is a Bart Simpson report card:
- Sure, I have my doubts about what these Bears can do after an 0-3 start. However, I’m glad Roschon Johnson isn’t losing the faith. I appreciate this quote, via CHGO’s Nicholas Moreano:
“I mean, obviously not where we want to be, but there’s a bit of optimism when looking at the film and realizing that it’s not, you know, anything major. On the offensive side of the ball, anything major that we’re doing that’s losing us games. It’s just little things. Little things that we can correct within each drive, within each position group that are the difference between winning football and losing football.”
- Roschon is right. Fixing the little things that are going wrong would be a good starting point toward turning this thing around. But the problem is that there are many little things … and they’re all piling up … and conspiring to take down the Bears … all at the same time. That snowball effect is real and feels unavoidable at this time. Still, I need Johnson and the other 52 players on the roster to clean up those little things. Doing so feels like a manageable first step. And it doesn’t require an injection of talent or a viral coaching rant to get done.
- Quotable from D.J. Moore (via the Sun-Times): “Next we’ve got Denver and then after that we’ve got the Commanders, and we’ve gotta find a way to win those two and not be 0-5. That’s the whole message.” Sometimes, stating the obvious and then acting on it makes for an important first step on a journey.
- The Bears should store this stat away for when they play the Chargers in October:
- An Alan Williams update: Multiple sources have reached out to the Tribune to confirm that the former Bears defensive coordinator’s resignation was conduct-related. This came shortly after Adam Schefter dropped this report on ESPN’s NFL programming (via Awful Announcing): “I’m told it was not criminal activity, but it was inappropriate, and the Bears’ HR department was involved in the decision for Alan Williams to step aside.” There remains a cloud of mystery when it comes to Williams’ situation, but we’re starting to see clarity from reputable sources.
- Our friends at BN Bulls have 2K24 player ratings (for those of you who care).
THE BN BEARS SHOW: What’s Next for the Bears?
- The final week of MLB’s regular season is HERE. And I’d say ’tis the damn season for scoreboard watching:
- Connor Bedard highlights!