When it comes to crushing the hopes and dreams of players and fans alike, no one does it better than the Chicago Bears. Their 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots was the breaking point for Bears fans and perhaps even some players on the team. When asked whether the coaching staff had lost the locker room, team captain Kevin Byard responded with a concise five-word statement.
Bears Captain Sends 5-Word Statement on Coaching Staff
“I’m Not Gonna Go There”
Instead of just saying “no,” Kevin Byard chose the words, “I’m not gonna go there.” After losing a game like that to the Patriots, it makes sense to not fully defend the coaching staff. There’s a huge problem in Chicago, and all points direct to the coaching staff. When prominent NFL analysts like Louis Riddick describe the Bears offense as having no gameplan, calling plays like ordering off a menu, and Todd McShay echoeing that it’s hard to watch what’s going on in Chicago with Caleb Williams, it’s clear there’s a huge problem.
"I'm not gonna go there."
Kevin Byard III when asked if the coaching staff has lost the locker room. pic.twitter.com/8UUoW9l6Yo
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) November 10, 2024
Bears Need to Make a Decision on the Coaching Staff
Before the season started, it was clear to many people that keeping Matt Eberflus as the Head Coach was not the right decision. It was also clear that General Manager Ryan Poles did not do an adequate job addressing the offensive line. Still, few could have predicted it would get this bad. Here are some striking statistics that capture the Bears’ struggles:
- Last three games on offense: 34 possessions, 27 points
- Outscored 66-27 since the bye-week
- Lost four games with a 91% or higher win probability in the fourth quarter under Matt Eberflus
- 3-18 on the road, 0-18 on Sunday road games, with a point differential of -181 prior to the loss to the Patriots
It’s simply unacceptable. No other franchise would retain a head coach with these kinds of statistics—except the Bears. This roster has the potential for much more, but the coaching is severely holding them back. Eberflus seems at a loss with this team, while Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldon struggles with any flow or rhythm in his playcalling. The best way to describe the Bears? A puzzle that can’t be completed.
The Reality Moving Forward
The truth is, the Bears won’t fire Eberflus midseason because the ownership is cheap. The most probable change will be a switch in offensive play-caller, but that’s about it. But this is more than just trying to salvage a lost season; it’s about developing Caleb Williams—something this coaching staff has failed to do.
The consensus No. 1 overall pick has looked worse this season than the rest of the first-round rookie quarterbacks, all because of coaching. Williams has lost his deep ball accuracy, anticipation from the pocket, and invading the pass rush. The offensive line has been abysmal this season but look no further than the Patriots with Drake Maye. He’s doing fine with an offensive line that’s similar to the Bears. So why has Williams struggled? The answer lies in inconsistent play-calling and a lack of offensive rhythm. Not playing to Williams’ strengths has been the biggest weakness on the Bears offense.
The Bears host the Green Bay Packers next week with a lot to fix. Let’s hope they don’t repeat the same mistakes, or else the team may find itself starting over yet again.
Read More: Ben Johnson Makes Perfect Sense as the Next Bears Head Coach
Main Image: Mike Dinovo – USA Today Sports
