Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — the Chicago Bears offense is bad. Terrible. No good. Very bad. The numbers don’t lie, and the eye test is even worse.
Well, with the exception of the run game, which has thrived under every running back — David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert and Damien Williams. The issue, specifically, is the passing game, which has been downright abysmal.
The expectation, while not entirely fair, was that rookie quarterback Justin Fields could overcome Matt Nagy and the offensive deficiencies. But that hasn’t been the case.
With the exception of their Week 4 win against the Detroit Lions, Chicago’s passing game has been utterly terrible. Case in point, the Bears are the first NFL team to not total 200 net passing yards in a game through the first seven weeks since the 2008 Tennessee Titans.
Still, Fields remains confident that the offense is “very close to a breakout game.” Even though recent events would indicate otherwise.
Fields was asked what specifically gives him confidence the offense can overcome the struggles they’ve endured this season.
“Just a feeling,” Fields said. “I feel it.”
Bears QB Justin Fields was emphatic this morning that the Bears' offense is "very close to a breakout game."
I asked him what specifically gives him that sense amid the well documented struggles.
"Just a feeling. I feel it."
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) October 27, 2021
While that’s not the most convincing reasoning for perceived success on offense, it’s the mindset Fields and the Bears offense need to have at this point.
Never mind this offense has gotten worse with each passing year under Nagy and made Allen Robinson virtually invisible this season. But they have to believe they’re going to get there.
Fields and the receivers are organizing meetings where they can get on the same page, as chemistry has been a struggle considering Fields was taking second-team reps during training camp and preseason.
The offense has shown some encouraging signs, including a couple of efficient drives against the Packers, but it’s a lack of consistency that’s been the issue.
The Bears offense has a chance to get on track against the 49ers, where they are opportunities to exploit the secondary. The issue remains the pass rush, which is the staple of their defense.
Fields believes the offense is close to its breakout game. Guess we’ll see if that game is Sunday.
[listicle id=487174]