The Chicago Bears are 3-12. They’re two games away from guaranteeing themselves at least the #2 overall pick. It could become #1 if the Houston Texans win one more game down the stretch. That makes it so easy to embrace the idea of shutting key players down for the season, particularly Justin Fields. He’s been beaten up already, so there is some justification for the idea. Never mind that he is the only clear avenue the Bears have to win a game these final two weeks. However, head coach Matt Eberflus won’t even consider it.
He stated that Fields is healthy after getting dinged up on Sunday. The QB will play against the Lions in Detroit. Reporters asked him if there was any consideration for shutting him down, given the team’s record and his health. Eberflus emphatically said no. When asked to explain why, here is what he said.
Some people may not like that answer. That said, it is the correct stance for Eberflus to have. He understands the players would instantly lose respect for him and GM Ryan Poles if they signed off on sitting Fields despite him being healthy enough to play. His job as the head coach is to win. Poles’ job is to draft good players regardless of where they are in the final order.
It is a big reason the Bears have continued to battle in every game despite some frustratingly close losses. They know they’re trending in the right direction. It is about learning how to finish games. They aren’t there yet. It is a consequence of employing such a young roster that lacks depth. These last two games against division opponents are great opportunities to keep trying. A win over Detroit would ruin their playoff hopes. A win over Minnesota would rob them of the #1 seed. Either of those scenarios would be a huge morale boost for this embattled roster.
Yes, a victory would mean the Bears pick 4th instead of 2nd. It might cost them one of the top players in the 2023 class. Here’s the thing. Not even the #1 pick is a guarantee in the draft. Courtney Brown, JaMarcus Russell, Sam Bradford, Jameis Winston, Jared Goff, and Baker Mayfield all can’t be called franchise-altering picks.
Conversely, the 4th pick has produced Trent Williams, A.J. Green, Lane Johnson, Amari Cooper, Denzel Ward, and Sauce Gardner. If Poles is any good at his job, he should be able to find a great player at that spot. This is why Matt Eberflus is correct in pursuing at least one more victory.
