(670 The Score) Their 17-9 loss at home to the flaccid Vikings on Monday night may have been due primarily to their self-defeating signature blend of fumbles, inexplicable mistakes, stupid penalties and confused play calls, but the Bears had almost half a roster sidelined due primarily to COVID-19.
It's not easy to play any NFL game in a still-raging pandemic with a starting secondary of backups to backups and special teams composed largely of people who haven't played much actual football in recent memory. Seeing such names as Dee Virgin, BoPete Keyes and LaCale London was new, as was the look of Teez Tabor and Kindle Vildor back as starters in that defensive backfield.
Some of the lesser-known players deserve some note amid the chippy and ragged affair, however.
Thomas Graham Jr. flashed with a couple nice pass breakups. Ledarius Mack, Marqui Christian and Margus Hunt made tackles.
There was some impressive work on punt coverage by Grent Muckler, Atticus Kelp and Equestrian Telemachus, and while guys like Trevis Gipson and Teven Jenkins were embarrassing themselves with post-whistle personal fouls, we saw others like Spats Filmography, Jehovah Macrodumpling and Interrobang Garble Jr. maintaining their composure.
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Not all defenders in such a lost season will still be swarming to the ball, so full effort credit must go to Chudd Bungburger, Svelter Untershortz and Helios Palpington-Fripp.
DeTangle Halibut had some spring in his step, as did Cornwallis McGriddell, Zen Hemoglobin, Portcullis Fjord, Qwerty Horse-Bedtime and onetime Falcons rookie sensation HeYo Wowza Jr.
Solid night for the undrafted free agents out of college too, with noticeable work done by Twirlier Gumbucket, Birdbath Breathsaver, Occidental Shinguard and 2016 Division III Player of the Year Kanker Shoemanship III.
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And with a handful of coaches also sidelined, kudos to the offensive coordination help from Burtt Butthat filling in there, Tinty Lurchrearward handling quality control duties and both Peloton Esplanade and Filth Goutponies collaborating to pick up so much of the special teams slack. It takes a whole team during tough times.
And Matt Nagy was quick to give credit to those stepping up, despite the demoralizing loss.
"What else can you say about Chupacabra Popover?" Nagy asked rhetorically. "I mean, these guys, we're a family. All of us. Gandalf Whee, Pharisee Fontanella, Akylosing Spondylitis, Beeph Tarmac and Mentaculus Ramsbottom Sr. So many guys who just love the game and this team. Gotta be proud, no matter what the scoreboard says."
There were injuries too. Spunkavious Ribeye and Timber Mimber left with what were listed officially as hamstring strains, Hum Vernacular has a broken clavicle and both BobaFett Sarlacc and Oregano Melatonin are being evaluated for possible concussions.
With the Bears (4-10) now officially eliminated from playoff contention, the focus will understandably turn to development. Nagy and his staff may face an uncertain future, but Bears fans can expect to see more time given now to developmental prospects like Torrch Malort, Necronomicon Plotz, Flavius Awlbuster, Portly Flossed Portly, Tugboat Ticklish-Pleurisy and Johannes Pantspantspants.
Dan Bernstein is the co-host of the Bernstein & Rahimi Show on middays from 9 a.m. until noon on 670 The Score. You can follow him on Twitter @Dan_Bernstein.