As the Chicago Bears dealt with their sudden myriad of distractions, from Alan Williams resigning as defensive coordinator to Justin Fields’ eye-grabbing comments, head coach Matt Eberflus sent this message as his reaction:
“We have strong bonds with each other, and when you have adversity, we pull together,” he told NFL.com before taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the Bears’ rough 41-10 loss at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, it’s starting to appear this current adversity may cause Chicago to pull away from Eberflus.
Beat Writer Calls Bears’ Week 3 Loss ‘The Worst’
Chicago, now 0-3, was outplayed from the moment both teams wrapped up their opening drive.
Kansas City’s opening set ended up being the last time the Chiefs sent out their punting unit.
After Fields hit Chase Claypool for a 15-yard connection, the Bears only mustered six yards afterward and punted the ball. The Chiefs’ next drives ended with four touchdowns and two field goals to go up 34-0 at halftime.
Chicago, meanwhile, didn’t score a touchdown until under the final three minutes of the game.
In the end, one beat writer who follows the Bears didn’t mince words about the 31-point trouncing.
“I’ve covered some bad losses in eight years as an NFL beat writer. It’s safe to say this one rises to the top of the list as the worst,” ESPN NFL reporter Courtney Cronin posted on X.
I've covered some bad losses in 8 years as an NFL beat writer. It's safe to say this one rises to the top of the list as the worst.
Chicago's losing streak extends to 13 after getting blown out 41-10 at Kansas City.
Up next: Denver at home.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 24, 2023
Cronin added how the 2023 Bears have produced the worst point differential through their first three games, beating out the previous worst, set in 2003.
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Here are the worst point differentials through 3 games in Bears history.
They are currently at -69 with the score at 0-41.2003 -68
2015 -59
1964 -57— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 24, 2023
Even franchise legend Jim McMahon was succinct and blunt at the same time in watching this version of the Bears.
Embarrassing
— Jim McMahon (@JimMcMahon) September 24, 2023
Not only did the winning head coach, Andy Reid, surpass Tom Landry on the wins list for head coaches, but his side defeated a team that he was passed over by — as noted by longtime Chicago Sun-Times sportswriter Mark Potash.
The #Bears and Chiefs each fired their head coach on Dec. 31, 2012. The Chiefs hired Andy Reid four days later. The Bears needed 16 days to hire Marc Trestman.
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) September 24, 2023
Is Eberflus Failing in His Area of Expertise?
Eberflus came to the Bears with a stout defensive reputation.
While with the Indianapolis Colts, three of his four seasons witnessed the team rank in the top 10 for total defense. As for building players up, he turned Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) star Shaq Leonard into a Pro Bowler while also getting cornerback Kenny Moore and interior defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to become Pro Bowl talents.
MORE: NFL Standings
But how have Eberflus’ Chicago defenses fared?
His 2022 unit ranked last in points allowed and 29th in total yards. Not one Bear, let alone a defensive lineman, surpassed four individual sacks through his scheme.
In 2023, his team has already allowed an average of 35.3 points per game. Only DE Yannick Ngakoue has a sack for Chicago. Furthermore, the Bears have yet to force an interception so far this season.
Can Things Turn Around, or Should the Bears Make Quick Changes?
For what it’s worth, the Bears likely don’t want to come near their second major coaching change in just the first month of NFL action.
There were teams that ended up having it worse than the Bears in Week 3. The Denver Broncos come to mind, who coincidentally will be facing Chicago next Sunday.
Even after Denver’s atrocious 70-20 showing against the Miami Dolphins, the Broncos happen to be a two-point favorite at the moment.
Let that sink in.
Betting lines are already going against the Bears in this contest. This upcoming game presents Chicago with its most winnable game before September ends.
A loss, let alone a rout, will further pull Eberflus away from the idea that he’s the long-term leader of this team. After Denver, Chicago currently has seven opponents left who are over .500 as of the third week of the season.
MORE: PFN’s Week 4 NFL Power Rankings
That includes two games against the NFC North title favorite Detroit Lions and a season finale against a Green Bay Packers team that walloped the Bears to start the year.
After an offseason of promise that saw aggressive free agent spending — including giving Fields a new explosive target in WR DJ Moore and adding in the security blanket of TE Robert Tonyan — this scene from Arrowhead points to a microcosm of how the Bears’ season has gone — a time to pull away and regroup.
AWESOME: #Bears WR D.J. Moore GRABS Justin Fields to take him out of the game. pic.twitter.com/uUXc5PnzQL
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) September 24, 2023
Eberflus has his job for now, but the Broncos game is beginning to shape up as the one where he’s coaching for his job. And already, there’s the thought of tanking for Heisman winner and dynamic USC passer Caleb Williams, the projected first-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.