It’s only June, but the Chicago Bears have already been conducting live contact practices. Which, unfortunately for new head coach Matt Eberflus, is prohibited by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
According to Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer, the Bears have forfeited Tuesday’s Organized Team Activities practice after violating the CBA’s offseason rules involving live-contact practice.
According to the league source, the Bears were warned for having practices featuring too much contact last month with requests made that they alter their practice activity to adjust. Eventually, when proper adjustments weren’t made, the NFL Players Association was asked to get involved and the NFL stepped in, deciding that the team was in violation of league rules. As a result, the Bears were required to forfeit one of their OTA practices.
While it’s certainly not a good look for Eberflus around the league — especially considering repeat offenses result in bigger consequences — most Bears fans don’t seem to have a problem with it.
The general reaction among fans has been an excitement that Eberflus appears to be setting the tone for his team. As well as complaints that the NFL is too soft with their offseason approach. But fans don’t want it to become a repeated offense for Eberflus, as it can result in punishment such as lost draft capital.
Here’s how Bears fans are reacting to the news: