Chicago Bears

For Teven Jenkins, 2021 is now an evaluation process

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teven jenkins, bears

On Monday morning, as the Chicago Bears returned to Halas Hall, head coach Matt Nagy announced the team would be activating the 21-day window for offensive tackle Teven Jenkins to return to practice. Jenkins, who’s been sidelined since training camp due to back surgery was the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

After spending fours at Oklahoma State as a key piece of the Cowboys’ offensive line, the Bears traded up 13 spots to nab Jenkins and solidify the left side of the offensive line. As Jenkins gets ready to return to practice, the Bears will take a number of precautions, including easing Jenkins back into practice.

With eight games left in the 2021 season, the Bears’ best hope is Jenkins gets enough playing time to get acclimated to the NFL game, including understanding how to handle bigger, stronger, and faster defensive lineman.

“We’ll have to really get him in here and see where he’s at,” said Bears head coach Matt Nagy on Monday morning. “It’s been a while since Teven’s put the pads on so we’ll start there but that’ll be exciting for us to see.”

The goal for the Bears is simple: See what Jenkins can and can’t do. After spending his final college season as a right tackle, the Bears opted to move Jenkins to the left side of the offensive line, hoping his size and strength would make him an ideal pass blocker to protect rookie quarterback Justin Fields.

“Where he’s at, I know he’s really anxious and excited to get out there,” Nagy said. “As far as the sides, that stuff that we’ll work through with him but it’s always a positive when you have somebody especially when you draft a guy like we did early in the draft and for him to be able to do what he has to do now to get back to this point.”

After overhauling the offensive line during the offseason, Jenkins’ return to action comes at a time when the Bears need an additional boost. Currently, in the middle of a four-game losing streak, Fields has played well enough to keep the Bears in the last two games but the offensive line hasn’t been a major difference-maker. With Jenkins’ addition, maybe that can change.

Chicago Bears: What did the first half of 2021 teach us?

by
david montgomery, bears

With the Chicago Bears officially on a bye week, the first half of the season has wrapped up and with just eight games remaining, the Bears face an uphill climb to make the playoffs in 2021.

Much has been made of the first half of the Bears season. There have been ups but also downs and while 2021 is all about the development of rookie quarterback Justin Fields, the Bears 2022 offseason is taking shape.

The Bears’ first half has shown us that looking ahead to 2022, much of the roster remains unresolved with impending free agents that include WR Allen Robinson, guard James Daniels, and DE Bilal Nichols. Chicago’s best hope is that Daniels and Nichols market is cheaper than originally expected with Robinson likely on the way out.

While Fields continues to be a bright spot on offense, much like the Bears running game. Chicago’s offensive line has struggled with Center Sam Mustipher being a weak link. When head coach Matt Nagy mentions self-reflection, this should include looking at the offensive line and reshuffling the interior. That means moving veteran Cody Whitehair back to center and inserting Alex Bars into the starting lineup.

As a vertical passing game, Fields improved chemistry with wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney was on display in week nine. This is a connection that needs more growth with the hope that Mooney and Fields are on the same page by seasons’ end.

Then there’s the defense. Without Khalil Mack for two straight games, Chicago struggled to generate any consistent pass rush while holes in the secondary were visible. Second-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson has taken a leap and safety Eddie Jackson remains an asset in coverage but a liability as an open field tackler. Veteran Robert Quinn continues to have a resurgent season but still needs to be consistent during the second half of the season.

The Bears 2021 season has showed that work remains to be done. Fields makes Chicago’s future bright and the Bears have a quarterback. What remains to be seen is whether or not the Bears can build around Fields, using the rest of 2021 as a roster evaluation to build a plan around Fields as soon as 2022 arrives.

Could Matt Nagy return in 2022 for the Chicago Bears?

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justin field, bears, matt nagy

The hot seat is a conversation that nobody wants to have in the NFL. Nothing is different for Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears, who currently sit in the middle of a four-game losing streak, having lost the last two games by a total of 13 points.

Much has been made of Nagy’s future with the Bears. Some believe the fourth-year head coach is on his way of Chicago while others see Nagy’s investment in Fields as guaranteed job security in 2022.

Bears ownership doesn’t seem to be overly thrilled that Nagy is likely heading towards another mediocre season however, Fields progression between weeks eight and nine cannot be denied and if Fields continues to progress, Nagy could return in 2022 with a clean slate.

With just three wins heading into week 10, the Bears front office has plenty of time to evaluate whether or not Nagy can rightfully be the guy to lead the Bears in 2022. Fields promising returns likely means the McCaskey family will likely wait until the very end of the season to move on from Nagy.

The Bears’ expectations for 2021 also changed once Fields was drafted. Expectations went from making the playoffs and having a winning season to ensuring Fields would develop properly.

What clouds Nagy’s future with the Bears, even more, is that it’s hard to judge who’s really behind Fields development. Is the so-called plan that Nagy referenced throughout training camp the reason Fields is developing? Or did a change in playcaller from Nagy to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, lead to a more QB-friendly system for Fields, who excels under center and in the play-action game.

What happens over the next eight weeks will be worth monitoring. The Bears are on the outside looking in when it comes to making the playoffs, however, even if Fields continues playing at a high level, ownership could look at 2021 as a positive, giving Nagy one final chance in 2022.

Chicago Bears: Chemistry with playmakers was prevalent in week nine

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Allen Robinson, New York Giants

A lingering issue for the Chicago Bears since naming rookie quarterback Justin Fields the starter in week four was a lack of chemistry with wide receivers. After spending all of training camp as the Bears backup, Fields was forced to learn on the fly with starting wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet.

Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week nine on Monday Night Football, the Bears opted to run a more balanced gameplan, with Fields going 17-for-29 with 291 yards and one touchdown. The 11th overall pick also had a passer rating of 89.9 while rushing eight times for 45 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt.

“As we’ve gotten more reps with Justin and you know kind of having had him at the helm and things and whatnot, things just naturally been getting better and kind of having a feel for each other,” Kmet said via the Bears official YouTube channel. “Not only me but I think the other receivers as well and you know we’re just kind of getting better in that so I think that’s going to keep progressing as the year goes on.”

Much of Fields’ early-season struggles was the result of poor ball placement and timing with receivers. Fields showed the ability to consistently hit the deep ball on Monday, including a 39-yard pass to Robinson on a third-and-two in the fourth quarter. Just one play later, Fields would connect with Mooney for a 16-yard touchdown pass.

“I felt so awesome Mooney made a great catch on that play, we were on the same page so was it was awesome,” Fields said.

For an offense that’s beginning to find its rhythm, Fields and the rest of the Bears playmakers have proven that everyone being on the same page can help the Bears passing game significantly improve. For head coach Matt Nagy, this is a positive step in the right direction as Nagy hopes to develop a pass-first offense.

Chicago Bears: Week 9 takeaways, quick tidbits, and bye week preview

by
justin field, bears

With the Chicago Bears losing a fourth consecutive game, it’s time to wrap up week nine and look ahead to week 10.

1) The Bears lost Justin Fields a very winnable game. 12 penalties isn’t going to help a team win a football game. The Bears are lucky to have scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and Fields heroics kept Chicago in the game. The 11th overall pick found a rhythm towards the end of the first half and never looked back.

2) Speaking of Fields, the Bears rookie had his best game as a starter in week nine. Going 17-for-29, averaging 10.0 yards per pass attempt, along with one touchdown doesn’t tell the full story of FIelds performance. Fields was sharp all evening, completing seven passes beyond 15 yards, including one touchdown.

3) Talk about needing a big game from pass catchers and the Bears delivered. Cole Kmet, Allen Robinson, and Darnell Mooney combined for 13 receptions for 196 total yards as the Bears averaged 17.1 yards per reception. Such a significant increase shows Fields is getting more comfortable with his playmakers as time progresses.

4) The Bears need to get Eddie Jackson back and healthy quickly. Ben Roethlisberger picked apart the secondary all evening. Two straight games without Jackson roaming the defensive backfield shows Jackson’s importance in coverage for an already weak secondary.

5) Something you can’t deny when looking back at Monday night’s Bears loss: Justin Fields, Khalil Herbert, and Larry Borom have become instant impact players. Another phenomenal job scouting talent by Ryan Pace and the front office. Pace’s knack for scouting and finding talent on day three of the NFL Draft is yet another reason the much-criticized general manager continues to be employed.

6) Louis Riddick summed up the Bears perfectly on Monday night as players met at midfield for postgame handshakes: “Matt Nagy and Justin Fields can walk out of here with their heads held high.” Riddick isn’t wrong. Fields progress was apparent and the McCaskey family is seeing the difference a good QB can make in games.

7) Let’s talk about Robert Quinn. Chicago is seeing some returns on Quinn, who’s a $70M investment but Quinn’s crucial offsides penalty on the Steelers’ final drive cost the Bears big time. Chicago can’t afford to lose any momentum in critical situations and Quinn shot the Bears in the foot twice in the fourth quarter. A second penalty was on a third-and-seven from the Steelers 41-yard line.

8) In his postgame presser, linebacker Roquan Smith said the defense let the offense down. Smith, who talks to the media after nearly game is conveying one message: The Bears defense didn’t get the job done on Monday but the offense did. Here’s the significance of such a comment: It’s the defense that lost the game, not the offense. The Bears offense is also on the rise and the defense sees that.

9) Let’s talk about the Bears newest running back duo: David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. With 17 total carries and 76 rushing yards, Nagy failed to figure out how to utilize both players effectively. The Steelers defense keyed in on both running backs all evening but with the identity of the Bears offense being the run, Chicago needs to feature more two-back sets with Montgomery and Herbert being mismatch weapons.

10) Let’s give some love to Cairo Santos. The Bears kicker has been automatic this season and has stabilized the position that was once the only weakness on the Bears roster back in 2019. Touchdowns should be the goal but field goals with a consistent kicker figure to get the job done at times too.

Bears Bye Week: What have we learned?

Through the first nine games of the Bears season, we’ve learned a lot about what to expect during the second half of the season. The Bears offense has developed an identity through the run game but the most significant change that defined the first half of the season was Nagy relinquishing playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

Between weeks nine and 10, Chicago has started to develop more into a pass-first offense. Fields’ development as a passer has been noticeable, with the 11th overall pick processing quicker and completing short and intermediate throws. This comes as a result of improved decision-making and Fields’ willingness to take what the defense gives him.

What we’ve also learned is the Bears’ defense is significantly worse without star pass rusher Khalil Mack, who’s been nursing a foot injury over the last few weeks. While the Bears totaled four sacks in week nine, Mack’s presence would’ve slowed down the Steelers’ offense and forced Roethlisberger to get rid of the ball quicker.

Two objectives need to be accomplished during the bye week for Chicago: Getting healthy and then shuffling the offensive line while figuring out how to cater gameplans to further develop Fields. With eight games left, the Bears can still turn around a tumultuous season.

Penalties cost the Chicago Bears big in week 9

by
bears, matt nagy

It wasn’t necessarily a football game until it was for the Chicago Bears in week nine on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For three quarters, the Bears seemed to be out of the game, that is until rookie quarterback Justin Fields came alive in the fourth quarter, leading the Bears done the field, tossing a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

The Bears’ issues in week nine don’t revolve around Fields. In fact, an immediate reaction right after the game is that Fields didn’t lose the game. The Bears lost Fields a very winnable game. 12 penalities for 115 yards is the perfect stat to describe the Bears’ loss.

Penalties were crucial in deciding the final outcome of the game, with the Bears being penalized 12 times for 115 yards, including consecutive penalties on the Steelers’ final drive.

“Too many penalties 12 penalties 115 yards,” said Bears head coach Matt Nagy via the Bears official YouTube channel. “The first half for us, to be able to let them start with the ball at the minus 40 twice and then within our own territory is, you know, we can’t have that.”

The Bears identity is one that requires the entire team to play mistake-free football. Much of Chicago’s issues on Monday night were the result of poor execution, including the inability to get lined up properly. While there were some questionable calls made by the referee crew, lining up offsides isn’t the referee’s fault and it may be a case of the Bears simply needing to execute better.

A key call, taunting on linebacker Cassius Marsh, further gave Pittsburgh additional momentum in the fourth quarter, with referee Tony Corrente explaining why Chicago was flagged.

“First of all, keep in mind that taunting is a point of emphasis this year,’ said Corente in an interview with NBC Sports Chicago’s Adam Hoge. “And with that said, I saw the player after he made a big play, run toward the bench area of the Pittsburgh Steelers and posture in such a way that I felt he was taunting them.”

Corente’s decision is one that changed the complexion of the game and will go down in NFL offices as a play to review when discussing the significance of what taunting really is in the NFL. Yellow flags cost the Bears plenty on Monday night and it’s time to get many of these simple mistakes cleaned up and the Bears moving forward.

Chicago Bears: Larry Borom an x-factor in week nine

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Larry Borom, bears

When the Chicago Bears drafted offensive tackle Larry Borom in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Mizzou product entered his rookie season with a chance to compete for the starting job at right tackle. A sprained ankle sustained in the Bears’ week one loss against the Los Angeles Rams would sideline the 151st overall pick, until week eight, Borom’s first career start.

“I thought Larry did a wonderful job,” Nagy said via the Bears official YouTube channel. What a great challenge to go against one of the best D-ends in the NFL and I thought he held his own.”

The D-end that Nagy is referring to happens to be 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa. On track to start a second consecutive game, Borom will be matched up against Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt on Monday night in what should be an enticing matchup to monitor.

Borom’s ability to slow down Watt won’t go unnoticed. In an opposite viewpoint, a bad performance would be a forgettable night, with the Bears’ bye week giving Borom an extended time to evaluate and self-reflect, as Borom continues to develop.

“That’s one of the things that will be good for us to evaluate and see where he’s at, both mentally and physically,” Nagy said. “I thought Larry has done a great job when given the opportunity to play. So coach Juan and coach Donnie will see where he’s at conditioning-wise. But he’s been working hard, so we’re gonna really push him to see where he can go.”

Another strong performance from Borom could indicate the Bears have a long-term building block on the right side of the offensive line. Much of the Bears’ struggles over the last two seasons have been at right tackle, with veteran Bobby Massie being released during the 2021 offseason.

Opportunity awaits Borom, who is the assumed Bears starter of the future at right tackle. What happens over the second half of the season will set the tone for whether or not Borom can be labeled a breakout candidate heading into 2022.

Assessing the Chicago Bears at the trade deadline

by
Ryan Pace, bears

As soon as 3:00 pm CST hit on Tuesday afternoon, the 2021 NFL trade deadline has officially with the Chicago Bears opting to make no moves, further cementing the front office’s belief that the 2021 roster is good enough to compete for a playoff spot. To note, Bears general manager Ryan Pace has made just one trade in his seven-year tenrue

The annual winner or loser mantra is back when it comes to the NFL trade deadline. Ultimately, with the Bears opting not to sell, the question needs to be asked: Are the Bears losers at the trade deadline?

For a team that’s struggled through the first eight games of the 2021 regular season, key players on the Bears roster such as wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks were the subject of trade rumors, as was running back David Montgomery, who has been on injured reserve due to a sprained knee.

How one views the Bears moving forward by making no moves is certainly a point of contention. One viewpoint is Pace is confident in the Bears roster and ready to continue compete in 2021. The other viewpoint is the Bears didn’t sell because the market was dry but Chicago wants to keep the roster intact for Justin Fields development.

The 11th overall pick certainly needs as much talent on the roster to continue being successful but the Bears also needs to understand selling assets in 2021 could’ve been key for the Bears to build around Fields in 2022 and beyond.

Robinson and Hicks could’ve been shipped off for mid-round picks, which would’ve beefed up Chicago’s limited trove of day two and three draft picks. With no first or fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bears will once again be tasked with making the most of limited draft capital.

The Bears unwillingness to ship off players with expiring contracts shouldn’t go unnoticed. For now, Pace continues to hope every domino will fall in the right direction and the Bears sneak into the playoffs. However, if not, Pace will need to dig the Bears out a hole that was created by the much-lambasted general manager.

Chicago Bears: Week 8 takeaways, quick tidbits, and week 9 preview

by
justin field, bears

After a third consecutive loss, the Chicago Bears now sit at two games under .500 with a road trip against the Pittsburgh Steelers next on the schedule, let’s recap the Bears’ week 8 loss.

1) Justin Fields is it. You probably already knew that but today confirmed Fields has everything and more needed to be the guy moving forward. His 22-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter on fourth-and-one gave the Bears life. Watching the entire play unfold live and Soldier Field was rocking with new life after the biggest play in Fields NFL career.

2) Speaking of Fields, this was his best career game as a rookie. He didn’t wow anyone with yet another mediocre statline but the Bears opened up the offense more and Fields showed that he could produce. Going 19-for-27, throwing for 175 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, Fields threw for one touchdown while rushing for another. Fields didn’t have any throws beyond 20 yards but the 11th overall pick is showing signs of progress in the short and intermediate passing game.

3) More Fields talk: The former Ohio State standout was actually the Bears leading rusher too. Fields rushed 10 times for 103 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per carry. Kind of surprising considering Khalil Herbert finished the game with 23 carries for 72 yards, including averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

4) Lost and nowhere to be found was the Bears pass rush. With Khalil Mack out, the Bears were forced to rely on Trevis Gipson, Robert Quinn, and Akiem Hicks. The Bears had zero sacks on Sunday afternoon, making it the second straight game the Bears failed to get after the quarterback.

5) The Bears got into the redzone three times and converted just once. Chicago needs to learn to convert these routine redzone trips into touchdowns. Sunday’s matchup was a classic example of how field goals won’t get it done but touchdowns will.

6) The good news about the Bears’ offense? Chicago was 8-for-15 on third down, just around 50 percent. Under Nagy, the Bears have struggled on third down, so being able to consistently convert on Sunday afternoon was another sign of progress for an offense that’s building an identity on the fly.

7) The Bears let a very winnable game slip away. In fact, for those who expected Chicago to at least be a mediocre playoff team, this game could be the difference between the Bears sneaking into the playoffs or going home in January after the regular season.

8) Safety Eddie Jackson is clearly a polarizing player but Jackson’s importance in coverage was seen on Sunday afternoon. After leaving the game on the 49ers’ first drive due to a hamstring injury, the middle of the field was wide open throughout the rest of the game and the San Francisco took full advantage with quick, short throws underneath to pick up some easy yards.

9) Allen Robinson had another quiet day. In fact, the star Bears wide receiver had just three receptions for 21 yards, averaging seven yards per reception. Week eight was also the fifth time in eight games that Robinson had less than four receptions in a game.

10) Return man Jakeen Grant deserves some love. With six total returns on the afternoon, Grant averaged 26 yards per return, giving the Bears a spark each time. The issue is that Grant’s hard work was wasted at times with the Bears’ offense failing to put up points consistently.

Week Nine Preview: A quick trip to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is coming off a win against the Cleveland Browns and with four wins, the Bears will have their hands full on Monday Night. The Steelers may not have a loaded roster but the Bears will need to keep an eye on running back Najee Harris, wide receiver Chase Claypool, and edge rusher T.J. Watt.

All three have had solid seasons so far and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will have his squad ready to go like always. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has looked like a shell of himself and the Bears should see a boost with the return of pass rusher Khalil Mack.

It’ll be up to Justin Fields and the offense to play a tough, physical football game, dominating for four quarters to have an opportunity to win on Monday night.

Chicago Bears: Holes apparent in week eight loss

by
Trevis Gipson, bears

In what was deemed a very winnable game for the Chicago Bears in week eight at home, the Bears struggled, failing to put together a complete game in all three phases. Chicago averaged 4.8 yards per play, with rookie quarterback Justin Fields rushing for a 22-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one to give the Bears some life.

The Bears season isn’t necessarily over but Chicago has now lost three straight games to NFC opponents. Since week six, losses to the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now San Francisco 49ers have put the three win Bears on the outside looking in, in the context of a playoff spot.

Sunday afternoon was an eye-opening moment for the Bears as a whole. Through the first seven games of the season, the assumption was that Chicago featured a solid defense while the offense would struggle. Sunday afternoon proved to be different.

The 49ers gashed the Bears’ defense throughout the second half, with multiple throws down the middle of the field late in the fourth quarter. Chicago simply wasn’t playing with enough speed on the defensive side of the ball to warrant slowing down the 49ers’ offense. The Bears pass rush failed to generate any sacks, even with Khalil Mack out

Mack’s absence leads to an important question regarding Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn, both of whom failed to record a sack on Sunday. How much of Hicks and Quinn’s success in 2021 is the result of Mack’s presence? Mack may not always pad the stat sheet but his impact was felt on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears offense did show signs of life but there wasn’t enough. It’s clear that the Bears aren’t a very good team around Fields, with the inability to execute prevalent from the wide receiver, tight end, and offensive line.

The Bears have a long way to go before being relevant again. Fields provides hope for the future but Chicago’s holes were visible on Sunday afternoon for a team that has struggled mightily in 2021.