CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Bears took it to the Giants in a 29-3 win on Sunday at Soldier Field. Here are the observations of the day.
Tip your caps but nothing more
Give the Bears this much: This all could've been so much uglier at the end of their lost season. In the Bears' infamous 2014 season, for example, the locker room crumbled around then-coach Marc Trestman and the team finished the season on a five-game losing streak.
These Bears are going down with a fight. They’re still committed to each other and fighting for coach Matt Nagy. And they’re vastly better than the lowly Giants, who trotted out veteran Mike Glennon for one of the worst games from a quarterback that I've ever seen.
It's fair to acknowledge the Bears' commitment and give a nod to Nagy’s work -- while also reminding ourselves of how poor the Giants are and then returning to reality. Let’s not make anything more of the win for the Bears than that.
Nothing from Sunday changed the body of work for a Bears team that sits at 6-10 entering its season finale at the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears' roster stood little chance to be successful in 2021, as the signs of collective decline were clear from the beginning.
Nagy will almost certainly be fired at season's end – not so much for failing to maximize what he had with this team but primarily for his role in overseeing a sputtering offense across four seasons in Chicago. As for general manager Ryan Pace, it remains to be seen what the Bears will do. Despite producing just one winning season in seven years on the job, Pace has endeared himself to the McCaskey family.
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The ‘right now’
After the Bears' win, Nagy was asked why the Bears chose to start 39-year-old Jason Peters over rookie Teven Jenkins at left tackle.
"This is a Hall of Fame player that's been playing a long time, and he battled his ass off to get back here and play,” Nagy said of Peters. “And he did a great job.
“We're going to do what's best for this team right now."
Note the end of Nagy's comment -- he mentioned what’s best for the team right now.
Nagy didn’t point to Jenkins' future or why the Bears need to prioritize the development of their young players. That isn't his job right now – and he seems to know that. Nagy and Pace probably aren't a part of the Bears’ future, but chairman George McCaskey has given them the opportunity to finish out this season. That has led to conflicts of interest in what's best for all involved.
This is what the Bears get for their decision. Nagy is fighting for meaningless wins instead of prioritizing player development. Pace seems to have similar motives. Team president Ted Phillips -- who doesn't have a football background -- apparently hasn't come down from his office and mandated the team prioritizes the future.
McCaskey has enabled it all to take place, slowing the development of a second-round pick in Jenkins whom the Bears hope can become their left tackle. Instead, it’s a 17-year veteran who likely won’t be in Chicago next season who got the start.
You can't blame Nagy one bit. So long as the Bears keep him around as coach, he has every right to prioritize winning games and fighting for his own future in football. That’s what he made clear – it's about the right now.
Historic moment
After Bears pass rusher Robert Quinn recorded his historic 18th sack of the season Sunday to surpass Hall of Famer Richard Dent for the franchise’s single-season mark, the Bears called a timeout.
The Soldier Field video boards zoomed in on Quinn, who later admitted he was confused why there was a sudden stoppage in play. He then realized the standing ovation was for him and responded with a business-like shrug.
“At the end of the day," Quinn said, "I'm just doing my job.”
It’s exactly how one would expect Quinn to react to the historic accomplishment.
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A toast to the late, great JD
After finishing postgame interviews, the Bears beat reporters gathered together for a glass of wine in honor of our friend Jeff Dickerson, who passed away last week after a private battle with cancer.
It was a fitting tribute for the countless road games for which JD would organize a group for dinner and great wine.
I sat next to JD for the last seven years on the beat. On Sunday, my seat was next to a memorial in the press box. It was simply crushing every time I looked to the left. Memorial services will be held Monday and Tuesday.
I personally would like to thank all who have shown remarkable generosity in paying tribute to JD and supporting his 11-year-old son Parker. That includes a special thank you to the Bears organization, which has been wonderful during a difficult time.
You can still donate to Parker’s Fund, which has surpassed $1 million in donations.
Extra points
-- That was a cold, blustery day for the diehards at Soldier Field. The official paid attendance was listed as 59,594. The actual attendance was somewhere around 40,000, and I was honestly impressed that many fans showed up.
-- On their first offensive play from scrimmage Sunday, the Bears were two yards out from a score and lined up nose tackle Khyiris Tonga at fullback. It seems Nagy still has a few tricks up his sleeve. The rookie Tonga led the way for running back David Montgomery’s two-yard touchdown run.
-- The Bears seem to really have something in second-year pass rusher Trevis Gipson, who’s up to 6.5 sacks this season.
-- The Giants defense celebrated an interception as a group while down 29-3. Later, coach Joe Judge spoke of the culture he has built with his 4-12 team. OK, then.
-- 2022 might not be Mike Glennon’s year, either.
-- Seriously, how bad can Jake Fromm be?
-- How's there still one game left in this season?
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.