The Bears are just playing some of the least-inspired football I can ever recall seeing them play. They got what they wanted with their former head coach fired, and they’ve played worse football and showed even less energy since that happened. Tonight was the latest example of that.
Just get me to next season already, I’m tired.
Offense
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs with the ball as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesQB Caleb Williams | C-
Caleb did some good things today for sure, and it wasn’t his worst performance, but he was just off most of the night. He missed a few open throws and held onto the ball a little too long at times. The awful, awful sack allowed by Kiran Amegadjie in the first quarter seemed to throw the Bears rookie QB off for a while. For some reason, the quarterback on the receivers just seem to be on different pages way too often. This late in the season, there’s no excuse for this to be happening as much as it is. It’s on the QB, receivers, and the coaching. All of them are responsible.
RB D’Andre Swift | A-
People love being hard on D’Andre Swift, and he’s not a true #1 running back in my opinion, but he ran his ass off tonight. The offensive line was bad, and he made something out of nothing quite a bit. He wasn’t able to pick up either 4th & 1, but one was a toss behind a rookie third-round pick out of Yale, and the other he was touched before even getting back to the line of scrimmage. Over four yards per carry and nearly 80 yards on the ground behind that offensive line performance was impressive, as was his effort. I may need to alter this one midweek, but there was no quit in Swift tonight.
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesWR DJ Moore | B+
I liked how Moore was utilized in the quick game and as an extension of the running game with the running back room lacking depth. I’d have liked to see him targeted a little more in the second half, but that’s not all on him either. He was fine tonight.
WR Rome Odunze | C
Odunze was solid yet again and did a good job getting open tonight, even if he wasn’t always found when he was. You can debate whether or not picking him at nine was the right decision in terms of positional needs, but there’s not much doubt that the Bears got themselves a pretty darn good wide receiver.
I originally had Odunze as a B, but his endzone drop in the 4th Quarter dropped him a full letter grade. I don’t care what the situation is, that’s never ok.
WR Keenan Allen | C+
Keenan Allen made some nice catches when Caleb needed him too, but also had some key drops. Drops just are never acceptable, especially when you’re as talented of a veteran as Allen is. He made a nice touchdown grab in the 4th when it was too little, too late.
TE Cole Kmet | F
Last week after the Niners game, Patrick wrote the following about Cole Kmet: “At this point, I have no idea what role or purpose Cole Kmet has in the Chicago Bears offense.”
Think that pretty much sums it up. I don’t know if it’s him, the coaching, or a combination of both, but how he’s gone from a very good tight end to a disappearing act in this short of a time is mind-boggling.
Offensive Line | F
I don’t care that they got better as the game went on, at least a little bit. Kiran Amegadjie was a disaster and almost got Caleb Williams killed. He also took too many penalties and struggled with the silent count (shocker, the Yale draft pick had a difficult time in one of the loudest NFL stadiums). Earlier this week I was adamant that he should get some starts down the stretch to see what we have in him. It was only a game, but it feels like we know now.
Darnell Wright is really good and can be an anchor. That’s the only certainty heading into next year.
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears fans during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesDefense
Defensive Line | C
For as depleted as this unit was, they showed some fight and generated a decent amount of pressure on Sam Darnold. They weren’t great against the run but didn’t get gashed as well. A few untimely penalties hurt them, but overall for a unit missing quite a few starters and contributors, they were good enough.
Linebackers | D
I just don’t know what to make of this group. TJ Edwards is a really nice player, but he can’t really be your best playmaker in this unit. Tremaine Edmunds has all the tools to be really good, but he’s just kind of…there. Were they awful today? No. But did they underachieve yet again? Yup.
Secondary | C-
Kyler Gordon had a good night, but other than that there were just too many mistakes all around. The Vikings have as good of a pass-catching group as there is in the NFL, so it was a tough challenge. But outside of Tyrique Stevenson’s interception, they didn’t really do much of anything.
Special Teams
K Cairo Santos | A
He made his two kicks and his extra point. Sure.
P Tory Taylor | C+
Taylor only punted three times and he averaged 47.3 yards per punt with two landing inside the 20. Fine, whatever.
Coaching
Thomas Brown | F
More first-half nothingness. Doug Kramer didn’t report and cost the Bears a touchdown. A weird decision to go for it on 4th and 1 from their own 35 or so on the opening drive. The team seems lifeless. The offense is poorly coached. The defense is going through the motions. Some of this falls on leadership in the locker room, but it’s on the coaching staff too to get the most out of their players. Brown got a whole lot thrown on his plate in a very short amount of time, and it feels like it’s proving to be too much too fast.
Having said that, we’ve probably gotten the answer about whether or not he can be a legitimate head coaching candidate for this team going forward.
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesEric Washington | D
The defense was certainly better than last week and settled in after a rough start. However, like the rest of the team, they just kind of seem like they’re going through the motions. 30 points isn’t good enough, some of that can be pinned on the offense not getting anything going, but the defense made its fair share of mistakes as well.
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