LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears (4-8) are looking to snap a six-game losing streak as they visit the struggling San Francisco 49ers (5-7) on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT.
Here are three storylines to watch in the matchup.
Interim coach effect?
The firing of a head coach and the promotion of an interim leader can sometimes make an immediate impact for scuffling teams that suddenly play more inspired football.
The Bears are now looking to get the interim coach bump after firing head coach Matt Eberflus last Friday and promoting Thomas Brown from offensive coordinator to the interim head coach role.
Bears players have admitted they could benefit from a new voice in their spiraling season, as Eberflus lost the locker room during this ongoing losing streak. That much was clear after the Bears' 23-20 loss to the Lions last Thursday at Ford Field, where star cornerback Jaylon Johnson voiced his frustration with Eberflus in the locker after Eberflus' latest attempt to share an uplifting message following an agonizing defeat.
The Bears respected Eberflus, but they grew tired of his rhetoric as the results lacked. A season that once held such high hopes was lost in large part due to Eberflus’ coaching blunders.
Enter the 38-year-old Brown, who hopes to give the Bears a different edge in the final five games of the season.
“Life isn't guaranteed,” Brown said when asked about his style. “This game isn't guaranteed. It's a privilege to be here, so I want us to maximize it every single day in the building. And when we have an opportunity to excel on game day, go cut it loose, man. Play with no fear.”
In an effort to spark the beleaguered Bears, Brown has directly challenged them to be better. On his end, Brown has a five-game audition to potentially earn the full-time head coaching job.
The Bears will meet a 49ers team that has dropped three straight games. Making matters worse in San Francisco, star running back Christian McCaffrey and backup running back Jordan Mason have each suffered serious injuries that will sideline them for weeks.
Progress from QB1
In his last three games, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has completed 64.1% of his passes for 827 passing yards (275.6 yards per game), five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Chicago is 0-3 in those contests, losing to the Packers (20-19), Vikings (30-27) and Lions (23-20) in divisional play.
What matters most for the Bears in the stretch run is the continued progress of Williams, who has continued to shine despite the dysfunction around him. Williams is on pace for 3,700 passing yards this season, which would be the third-best mark in Bears franchise history. If he averages 277.6 passing yards over the final five games, he would become the first Chicago quarterback to ever throw for 4,000 yards.
Williams’ continued growth is a testament to his mindset.
“I’ve got to roll with the punches, and I don’t control everything,” Williams said. “Everybody has a job here. That’s the cool thing about football. Offensive linemen, QBs, DBs, kickers, punters, coaches, GMs — everybody has a job in us winning. Everybody has to do their part. There’s going to be good things, bad things that come from that if you do your job or don’t do your job, whatever the case may be, to the level that we may need, whether that’s not being on the team, bench or starting or promotion, whatever the case may be, you’ve got to do your job. You’ve got to roll with the punches.”
On Sunday in San Francisco, Williams will square off against a 49ers defense that remains a tough test. The 49ers are fourth in the NFL in passing defense and fifth in total defense.
A new Niners foe
The Bears will get to know 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, the latest to enter the fold in San Francisco's backfield.
Guerendo has carried 42 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season. His success is no accident, as Guerendo is considered one of the fastest players in this rookie class.
Guerendo logged a 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last February. He has game-changing talent that will test the Bears’ struggling rush defense.
The Bears ranked first in the NFL in rushing defense in 2023. They rank 25th in 2024. The loss of nose tackle Andrew Billings (pectoral) was costly, though there's more to the issue than that.
Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington will take over as the team’s play-caller on defense, assuming the role from the fired Eberflus. It’s Washington's responsibility to scheme better to stop the opponent's running game.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.