(670 The Score) It was back to reality for the Bears in a 30-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday night at SoFi Stadium, where they had another embarrassing primetime performance that reminded everyone how far the team has to go. Here are the observations from the Bears’ loss.
All too familiar
Late in the second quarter, Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent uncorked a deep pass to the end zone, where second-year receiver Velus Jones Jr. was camped all alone for a sure touchdown – or so it seemed.
Jones instead lost his footing and tumbled to the turf, then failed to haul in the pass as he was on his backside. It was yet another humiliating moment for a proud organization to endure on national television.
The Bears made far too many mistakes in this loss, including a drop by receiver Darnell Mooney that resulted in an interception, seven penalties, countless missed tackles and questionable play-calling. The Bears have suffered seven consecutive losses on Sunday Night Football, a platform that has shown no hesitation in showcasing the lost franchise.
Everything that head coach Matt Eberflus wants the Bears to become has failed to materialize 25 games into his unsettling tenure.
The Bears are now 5-20 under Eberflus' direction. His .200 winning percentage is the worst of any head coach in franchise history, and Chicago has yet to win consecutive games in his tenure.
The Bears don’t do anything particularly well, a problem throughout Eberflus' tenure. They still don't have an offensive identity, and their defense remains an inconsistent unit that doesn't showcase the traits of Eberflus' beloved HITS principle. The team doesn't have any strengths.
On the first play from scrimmage Sunday, Bagent hit Mooney on a deep ball for a 41-yard connection. It was a play that could’ve gone for a touchdown if not for an early whistle. There wasn’t much of a fuss from the Bears’ sideline in the moment despite the questionable officiating. Eberflus didn’t let the officiating crew hear about it. After failing to be touched down, Mooney was slow to get up and didn't immediately sprint to the end zone, then soon stopped and surrendered amid the confusion. Right away, the Bears didn't look like a team ready to fight.
What followed for the Bears was a one-yard run by running back D’Onta Foreman into a crowd of powder blue, then a jet sweep with reserve receiver Trent Taylor on a play that required tackle Larry Borom to hold a one-on-one block on star pass rusher Khalil Mack. Suddenly in a third-and-11 situation, Bagent was dropped for a sack by Chargers star pass rusher Joey Bosa.
A fleeting moment of hope and excitement for the Bears was quickly forgotten thanks to their own miscues, with poor play-calling and poor execution on display.
Shortly after, the Chargers cruised into Bears territory as star quarterback Justin Herbert picked apart Chicago's porous defense. On second-and-6 from the Bears' 39-yard line, Herbert threw a screen pass to running back Austin Ekeler that should’ve resulted in a tackle for a loss by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Instead, Edwards — a prized addition in free agency — whiffed on the tackle and Ekeler broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown.
Late in the first half, the Chargers marched 75 yards for a touchdown on nine plays in just 1:43 to score just before the halftime break. Herbert hit tight end Donald Parham Jr., who spun off a would-be tackle by rookie cornerback Tyrqiue Stevenson and walked into the end zone for an 11-yard score.
Through all that, the feel-good story of Bagent fell flat as he threw a pair of interceptions. Starting quarterback Justin Fields watched from the sideline, wearing a hood and sunglasses while keeping to himself through each time the NBC cameras found him.
The Bears are a bad football team whose worst moments are put on display each Sunday. Significant changes will be needed this offseason.
No controversy
Fields continues to make progress with his injured right thumb, though he remains week-to-week with his health. Whenever he does return, the Bears can turn their focus back to what matters most for them this season — evaluating Fields and deciding whether to invest in him this offseason.
Eight games into the season – Fields started the first six before dislocating his right thumb – it's unclear what Chicago should do at the most important position in sports.
Bagent's story deserves the celebration it has received and he could be on track for a long career in the NFL, but the Bears aren't here for sentiment. Fields was selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which represented a massive investment for this franchise.
Fields needs every snap he can get in the rest of the regular season for the critical evaluation that's taking place. Each play builds the sample size for general manager Ryan Poles and his brass to determine whether Fields can be the answer at quarterback for the Bears.
This offseason, the Bears must decide on whether to pick up the hefty fifth-year option on Fields’ contract or decline it and prepare for a change. Fields could land a lucrative long-term contract extension or be cast aside. There's no clear direction yet.
Once Fields is cleared to return, what matters most for the Bears is seeing through his third NFL season.
New No. 1
Chicago lost in two ways Sunday. After weeks of residing atop the 2024 NFL Draft order, Chicago no longer sits there.
The Panthers beat the Texas to earn their first victory of the season and improve to 1-6, while the Cardinals dropped their fifth straight to fall to 1-7. With those results, Arizona now has possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and Carolina fell to the No. 2 spot.
The Bears own the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2024. Chicago is presently to pick at No. 2 and No. 3 overall, which would almost certainly mean missing out on prized USC quarterback prospect Caleb Williams.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go.
Extra points
-- “Tyson Bagent, THE Shepherd University.” That was a strong arrival into primetime.
-- The Bears defense surrendered 7.7 yards per play to the Chargers on their first two drives. Herbert and his offense got whatever they wanted against this lifeless defense.
-- When the NBC broadcast found Bears president Kevin Warren watching from his suite, what was he writing on that notepad?
-- Velus Jones Jr. just can't get out of his own way.
-- You had to know NBC would produce a “Bears starting quarterbacks since...” graphic. Insult to injury.
-- On Bears running back Darrynton Evans' 11-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter, right tackle Darnell Wright led way and was ready to run through anyone in his path.
-- Bagent’s second interception came on a drop by Mooney, though it was probably a fair representation in the final box score given the many near-picks that occurred prior to that one.
-- Bears tight end Cole Kmet hauled in a quiet 10 receptions in the loss.
-- If there’s a silver lining for the Bears, it’s that the Packers look just as bad.
-- There are still nine games remaining this season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.