There’s a scene from the movie Varsity Blues where backup quarterback Jonathan Moxon (a.k.a. “Mox”) sits dejectedly in his locker stall after a game and quietly utters, “four more games.” He’s anxious to end the season and get out of town.
That’s exactly the scene I think about after every Bears game this season, at least since the team was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Maybe some Bears players are feeling that way. Surely, most of the fan base is uttering a derivative of that quote each and every week.
And now, after the Bears’ ugly, 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, we can all collectively mutter, “one more game.”
Perhaps the worst part about Thursday’s loss was the only part that mattered: Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did not have a good game, and his streak of pass attempts without an interception came to an end after he floated a desperation heave down the field on fourth down, their final play of the game, with heavy pressure in his face.
Unfortunately, Keenan Allen was the receiver in the vicinity of the “Hail Mary” and the old man just doesn’t have the hops anymore to give that a chance at succeeding.
And as long as we’re talking about Allen, he might have had a good game Sunday against the Lions, but he’s not doing himself any favors dropping passes like he did against the Seahawks earlier in the game.
The question about whether to try to re-sign Allen this offseason has grown prominent down the stretch, and I maintain what I’ve said all along: he’s a savvy veteran who can still run crisp routes and he and Williams have formed a nice rapport throughout the season. But I would not break the bank on him because that money would be better used on offensive linemen.
If Allen does depart the team after one season, that would mean Rome Odunze would step up alongside D.J. Moore as one of the leading receivers. That brings a number of concerns into the equation, most prominent of which are Odunze’s miscommunications with Williams and his inability — or unwillingness — to block.
There have been a number of occasions this season where Williams and Odunze have not been on the same page, and Williams would throw to where he expected Odunze to be, but the receiver would cut off his route and sit somewhere else. That happened at least once, prominently, against the Seahawks on a third down attempt that stalled one of their drives.
As per the blocking, the best rushing offenses in the NFL have wide receivers that are willing and capable blockers. You have to be able to seal the edge to break off big runs. Twice during the Seahawks game, Rome put forth an unacceptable effort in blocking that cost the Bears yardage.
One was on a toss right to D’Andre Swift, who got stuffed in the backfield for a loss of 7 yards by whomever Odunze was supposed to block. The other was on a quick screen out to D.J. Moore who got tackled for a short loss, again by the player Odunze was supposed to block.
If Odunze is going to step up and be one of Williams’ Top 2 targets, he’s going to have to work on at least those two aspects of his game.
Tight End Cole Kmet did not receive one target all game. This is not the first time he has been a forgotten man but it seems pretty consistent that when he’s not involved, the offense appears to struggle.
Swift averaged 4.4 yards per carry, but he only finished with 53 yards as the offense just couldn’t move the chains enough. The team desperately needs to improve its run game in 2025.
Defensively, I thought Thursday night’s performance was one of their better outings in the midst of their 10-game losing streak. They are still not getting enough pressure on the quarterback and fixing the pass rush should be one of the top priorities of the front office this offseason. But they had better-than-expected success against the Seahawks’ rushing attack, held them to just 6 points, and they were able to get off the field on third down pretty regularly, which has been one of their biggest problems to date.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the special teams, specifically Cairo Santos. The veteran kicker has been one of the most accurate in team history. But his lack of leg strength is a major problem in today’s era of kicking.
When you have NFL kickers consistently drilling field goals of more than 50 yards, and some who have the leg strength to pound it from beyond 60, it is alarming that the Bears do not have that with Santos.
The Bears could have attempted a 57-yard field goal on fourth down on their final drive of Thursday’s game to tie it and send it into overtime. But that was reportedly out of Santos’ range, thus the team had to go for the first down, which led to Williams’ desperation heave that got picked off.
Looking to upgrade the kicker position is just one of many items on the to-do list of General Manager Ryan Poles — or his replacement if he is let go.
So, let it all out, Bears fans. If you want to wear a paper bag on your head and shout, “sell the team!” feel free to do so. Just understand that it is only done with the vain attempt of sending a message and that it won’t actually cause the McCaskeys to put the “For Sale” sign up.
If you want to take something out back and beat the snot out of it with a bat like in the movie Office Space, have at it.
Or, if you just want to sit quietly and count the number of games remaining until this nightmare season is finally over, go for it.
Because in just nine days, after the Packers beat the Bears — yet again — we will put 2024 behind us and begin the repetitive cycle of perpetual offseason hope. The Bears will hire a new coach, they’ll bring in some free agents, they’ll draft some young prospects. And when July comes around, we’ll start dreaming big again.
