CHICAGO — Early in the offseason, when rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was still learning how to call an NFL play in an NFL huddle, the word was that the Bears’ talented defense might have to carry the Bears’ revamped offense for a few weeks.
It turns out that was an understatement.
In the team’s win over the Titans in Week 1, the offense was out of sync from start to finish and the problems were many. There were attacks doomed by penalties, mistakes between Williams and his receivers, plays doomed due to ineffective blocks up front, and missed touchdowns. The execution was poor across the field.
Here are some numbers that illustrate the inability:
Longest drive: 46 yards (still ended with a punt)
Number of drives of 10 or less yards: 4
Number of drives with negative yardage: 2
3. Down conversions: 2-13
Net yards: 148
Yards/game: 2.8
And yet, the Bears pulled a win like a rabbit out of a hat in Week 1 thanks to timely plays in the other two phases.
After trailing 17-0 in the first half, the defense slammed it all into action, managing three turnovers and a touchdown. The punt blocking team managed a blocked kick, a scoop and a touchdown of their own.
The players on offense were all grateful that the defense welcomed them, but they won’t put their feet up knowing they will be watched every week.
“That’s definitely not our attitude,” Rome Odunze said. “We want to be the ones that go out there, make plays and build the team around us.”
Odunze believes that if the offense works properly, the Bears will start to sweep other teams with clear victories.
“If we deliver a performance like the defense did today and the offense does its thing, things will look a lot better here,” said Odunze.
There is also agreement that the offense will have to return the favor at some point. The Bears face several high-caliber offenses this year, starting with the Texans next week. They know they can’t count on game-winning interceptions or strip sacks every week. They will have to fill the void and lead the team to victory at some point.
“We just want to perform for them and show them that we are there, too,” said center Coleman Shelton.
“The potential is there, the talent is there, but you have to deliver the result,” said tight end Gerald Everett. “If you don’t deliver the result, you should be nervous.”
Offenses feel that while the game-winning defense gives them the luxury of an extra runway to develop their chemistry, in reality they don’t have much time to find their feet. There are no excuses for using a rookie QB at quarterback or a new OC to introduce their offense. The regular season has started and they feel like they need to play at a high level now.
Still, they feel good knowing they have the safety net from the other two phases. Today’s win gives them confidence that they can still win even if they fight for nearly 60 minutes.
“When we all play together – offense, defense, special teams – it’s going to be a scary thing when everyone’s together,” DJ Moore said.
Another key: Several players on offense felt like adversity was what kept them together on the sidelines. In years past, this would have been a game the Bears couldn’t compete in. Now, it feels like another example of a galvanized group ready to close the chapter from rebuilders to contenders.
“I found it uplifting,” Odunze said. “I wanted to go out there on the next play and make an impact. That’s what you need. You need a team that sticks together regardless of what happened on downs before and understands that the next play is going to be our best, the next play is going to be explosive, the next play is going to be a touchdown.”
The offense’s best performance wasn’t great, but they saved it for last. After gaining 54 yards and six first downs in the first three quarters, the offense managed 96 yards (not including yards lost to kneeldowns) and five first downs in the final quarter.
Something to build on?
“Every week is different in the NFL,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “There are going to be times when games are up and down. That’s really the case, and you just have to be good as a team. It’s never just about one side or one person. It’s about us figuring it out as we go along and finding our winning formula for that particular day.”
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