Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears were never going to win.
That’s what happens when you fail to make the playoffs just one year after going 12-4, winning the NFC North and hosting a home playoff game. The failure to live up to expectations has been perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this miserable season — and there’s been plenty of disappointment.
Still, this game had to be played. And it was as bad as you could imagine.
The Bears offense struggled to manage 21 points against the Vikings backups, the defense allowed 148 rushing yards to a third-string running back and Matt Nagy continued to prove that he’s hindering the success of this offense.
Ultimately it was a field goal fest between Chicago’s Eddy Pineiro and Minnesota’s Dan Bailey, and Pineiro ultimately had the last laugh. Pineiro was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals for Chicago, including the game-winning 22-yard field goal.
With the Bears facing most of the Vikings’ backups — as Minnesota prepares for the postseason — Chicago struggled on offense and defense.
The Bears defense made plays — they forced two first-quarter turnovers and a safety — but they let third-string running back Mike Boone run all over them for 148 yards.
Linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis made their case for why general manager Ryan Pace needs to re-sign them this offseason. Kwiatkoski led the Bears with eight tackles, with two tackles-for-loss — including a safety. Pierre-Louis was close behind with six tackles and a first-quarter interception of Vikings backup quarterback Sean Mannion.
But it was the Bears offense — shocker — that was most disappointing of all. It was a fitting end for what’s been an absolute disaster of a season for Nagy’s offense. This was the season where they were supposed to take a step forward. Instead, they took five steps back, and there’s nothing at the present moment that should provide any sort of confidence that this offense can make any sort of progress unless those offensive deficiencies are addressed.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky ended a disappointing season with a lackluster performance. He went 26-of-37 for 207 yards with no touchdowns or no interceptions. It was more of the same with Trubisky — some ugly overthrows but some beautiful completions when he had time in the pocket. But that’s the problem with Trubisky — he’s too inconsistent.
Although he didn’t receive any help from his offensive line (that allowed four sacks) or play caller (who refused to roll Trubisky out of the pocket until the final drive), a stark reminder that the Bears’ offensive woes run much deeper than their quarterback. Trubisky is a big problem, but you could argue Nagy is just as bad — if not worse.
But one of the bright spots on offense was rookie running back David Montgomery, who surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards on the season with his performance against the Vikings. Montgomery had 113 yards on 23 carries and the Bears’ lone touchdown of the game.
The Bears ended what’s been an absolutely ugly 2019 season at 8-8 — one that started with sky-high expectations and Super Bowl aspirations. Their centennial season was a forgettable one, but it’ll be their 101st season that will prove to be their most important yet.
How do they address the offensive deficiencies — from quarterback to play caller to tight end to the offensive line? How do they help their defensive maintain their high level of play? How do they get back to the playoffs?
It’s a long offseason ahead. Strap in.
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