(670 The Score) Bears receiver Javon Wims throwing punches and earning an ejection during the third quarter of Chicago's 26-23 overtime loss against the New Orleans Saints will be what stands out the most in his team's undisciplined play Sunday.
But that was just one penalty of seven committed by the Bears, who added to their NFL-high total of 58 infractions this season. The Bears sit second only to the Saints with 536 penalty yards as well. The lack of discipline is becoming increasingly frustrating for coach Matt Nagy.
"We are leading the league in penalties, and then you have something like that that happens (with Wims throwing punches)," Nagy said. "You never want that to happen ever from nobody on your team, and it's an emotional game and people get into it, but, again, just knowing who Javon Wims as a person, a high-character guy, that's the part that I thought was surprising.
"Until it gets changed, I have to be able to accept responsibility for it and I have to be able to focus on the 'why' part and I have to hold myself and the coaching staff accountable because we're the ones that basically are the conduits to the players on how they're acting on game day. Until it stops, I've gotta take full responsibility for it."
The incident with Wims occurred with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter, when he approached Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and struck him twice across the facemask. It incited a skrimish between the Bears and Saints and led to the ejection of Wims.
Wims met with Nagy on Monday morning and was apologetic, but discipline will certainly follow. The Bears are still working through their own potential disciplinary options while awaiting word from the NFL as to how the league will handle it.
"I know he's a good guy," receiver Darnell Mooney said. "Whatever happened in the game, it's an emotional game. I love him.
"Nobody knows what happened at that time besides those two. Hopefully we can move forward."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.