Latest Chicago Bears Roster Move Proves Accountability Is Back

Matt Eberflus promised there would be serious roster evaluations during the Chicago Bears‘ mini-bye week between Thursday night against Washington and next Monday in New England. It appears he is a man of his word. Eberflus said from the moment he took over that this team would be held to a high standard. That was never going to change. If players couldn’t meet the standard, then they likely wouldn’t last long.

That newfound accountability showed for the first time when the Bears cut wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette on Tuesday. Isaiah Coulter was elevated from the practice squad in his place. This move likely would’ve been a surprise last year since Matt Nagy rarely gave players consequences for making mistakes. Not so much with Eberflus. Smith-Marsette put himself on the chopping block with his brutal fumble late in the loss to Minnesota. Then he compounded that with an ugly drop against Washington. The Bears have clearly seen enough.

We have promoted Isaiah Coulter from the practice squad to the active roster and waived Ihmir Smith-Marsette.@Hyundai | #DaBearshttps://t.co/USx5D7mzqX

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 18, 2022

The #Bears have waived WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Smith-Marsette fumbled the game away for Chicago in their Week 5 match against the #Vikings pic.twitter.com/SAKrhIBBh4

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 18, 2022

The Chicago Bears may finally have decision-makers.

That is to say, a prevailing belief doesn’t overcome the men in charge that players deserve sympathy. Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles aren’t afraid of making the tough calls. If you can’t hold up your end of the bargain, there is no room on this roster for you. Smith-Marsette is the first such example. Chicago gave him a golden opportunity after claiming him off waivers from Minnesota. He didn’t take advantage. With no other value to offer, it was time for him to go.

That sucks for the person, but this is the NFL. Winning teams make smart business decisions. It was not a smart business decision to keep a player on the roster that has nothing to offer. Isaiah Coulter may not be any better. Still, the Chicago Bears are willing to give him an opportunity to prove otherwise. Maybe they get lucky and he shows something. It is further proof this 2022 is all about evaluation. Poles and Eberflus need to know what they have before entering the next phase of the rebuild.