Head coach Matt Eberflus after the Bears squander a 21-point lead: ‘When you’re 0-4, no one has done the job well enough.’
A respite from the Chicago Bears’ troubles and tribulations was available for the taking.
Then it evaporated as rapidly as a seemingly overwhelming 21-point advantage could.
Despite enjoying a three-touchdown lead after nearly three quarters, the Bears lost 31-28 to the previously winless Denver Broncos on Sunday, dropping to 0-4 for the first time in 23 seasons.
The offseason brought a flurry of free-agent signings and renewed anticipation for a turnaround following a three-win 2022, but Chicago has now lost a league-worst 14 games in a straight, dating back to last season.
“When you’re 0-4, no one’s done the job well enough,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus replied when asked if he had done his job well enough after such high expectations. “Those are just the facts. It is a results-oriented firm, and we must improve our collective performance. Again, we’re working hard to achieve that. And I think the guys, both coaches and players, took a greater stride forward in terms of putting our players in position and then executing. “I thought it was better today.”
After losing their previous three games by double digits, including a 41-10 blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, the three-point deficit may appear to be progress on paper. However, losing a 28-7 third-quarter lead reads more like another gut punch in an already brutal season.
In addition to the losses, Eberflus has replaced defensive coordinator Alan Williams, who unexpectedly quit after two games. Following a Week 2 loss, quarterback Justin Fields sparked outrage when he said coaching could be the reason he was “robotic and not playing like myself.” He subsequently backtracked on his statements, but bad news appears to be a weekly event for the Chicago Bears. The most recent example was wide receiver Chase Claypool’s healthy scratch on Sunday, just a few days after telling the media that he did not believe he was being used effectively.
Claypool, like other inactives, was not in attendance at the game. Eberflus said he was unsure as to why, but a team spokesperson later told the media the receiver was asked not to attend the game.
