(670 The Score) When the excitement at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon shifted to frustration, the boos came out and they steadily grew louder. Bears safety Jaquan Brisker heard them and took note of the boos during the second quarter in the team’s eventual 38-20 loss to the Packers.
Brisker respects the fans’ passion but wishes that the booing wouldn’t occur early in the game, he told the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Tuesday morning.
“I understand the boos versus the refs if they make a bad call at home, maybe a certain play call on offense or whatever, but like the booing early, maybe like first, second, third (quarter), the game is not over,” Brisker said. “That’s tough. The Bears fans should have our backs and be a lot more patient. They came out to see us win. We see teams across the league, last year, years ago, the game is never over until it’s zeroes. We got booed very early. The game wasn’t over. We still were in it. We got booed and next thing you know, we scored. If they could be a little bit more patient, a lot more patient with us and just have our backs until it hits zeroes. Then maybe I’d understand, or maybe certain calls in the game with the refs. Things like that. Fans are going to have certain boos, but not booing all the time or just (during) the game."
Chicago trailed 10-6 at halftime against Green Bay before the game really got away from the Bears in the third quarter, which was when the boos really began reigning down with more force. Brisker emphasized that he did understand fans' frustration after the Bears followed up a rough 2022 season with a dud in their season opener Sunday.
“I understand," Brisker said. "Obviously, I was on the team. I didn’t want to be 3-14, but it’s a new league, a new year, a whole new team. None of the players that were on that team last year are on this team. Maybe we still have the coaches, but none of the players were on that team. We still have the same quarterback, certain players, but it’s a new team, a new league, we got to turn it over.
“To me, just a little bit more patience and be behind our backs, because the clock didn’t hit zeroes yet. The game wasn't over. Get the crowd going, get some crowd noise, get some plays, get some momentum, it’s a little different.
“We just got to turn over a new leaf. We all want to win, but we got to be a little more patient.”
The Bears were an NFL-worst 3-14 in 2022. They entered this season with an improved roster and renewed hopes, but the initial result proved to be more of the same. Chicago lost its ninth straight game to its rival from Green Bay.
The Bears (0-1) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon CT from Raymond James Stadium.