The Chicago Bears are 0-2 on the season, and though it's only been a couple of games, it feels like the sky is falling in the Windy City. On Wednesday, Justin Fields called out the coaching staff for what he felt was a "robotic" approach to play-calling.
"It could be coaching, I think," said Fields. "But at the end of the day, they're doing their job when they're giving me what to look at and stuff like that, but at the end of the day I can't be thinking about that when the game comes. I prepare myself throughout the week and then when the game comes, it's time to play free at that point. Thinking less and playing more."
You can tell Fields is trying to be genuine, but it comes across as petty given the mistakes he made on Sunday in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sometimes it's best to keep matters in-house, especially as it pertains to disagreements over offensive play-calling. Instead, Fields spoke of his dirty laundry, and put the organization on notice at the same time.
Something has to change in Chicago, so we might as well start with the obvious.
Chicago Bears who should be benched or fired: Justin Fields
Fields still has plenty of potential as a quarterback, but the team should send him some sort of message. Whether it's a benching, suspension or even a fine, Fields cannot be allowed to make this mistake as the leader of this team.
There is something to Fields honesty on Wednesday -- he hasn't looked like the same player we saw at the end of last season. Fields gave Bears fans hope, and he's also the reason Chicago felt so comfortable in trading away the top overall pick to the Carolina Panthers rather than selecting another QB. They believe in Fields, who at his best is a dangerous multifaceted signal-caller. Fields can make the defense pay via the passing or run game.
So far this season, he's been fine for fantasy football owners, but those relatively meaningless numbers haven't translated to wins. The Ohio State product has taken a step back in his development, and that is on the coaching staff as well as the player. It's about time he takes some responsibility.
Chicago Bears who should be benched or fired: DC Alan Williams
While Fields comments certainly stole the headlines on Wednesday, buried underneath that drama was what Matt Eberflus did (or did not say) about his defensive coordinator. Chicago's defense has been brutal to start the season, making Jordan Love and Baker Mayfield look like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, respectively.
Something is wrong with the Bears defense, which previously had been a strong point for this team. Because of that, Williams may very well be on the hot seat himself. When asked about Williams future with the team, Eberflus gave a strangely-vague answer.
"I do not have an update on Alan Williams right now," Eberflus said when asked by CHGO's Nicholas Moreano
Multiple outlets followed up with Eberflus, but he gave the same answer as to Williams future and current employment with the organization. It's unclear whether Williams has been fired, or remains with the team but under close watch.
For all I know, Williams may already be off the team. If he's not, though, he ought to be let go for his failures over the past two weeks alone.
Chicago Bears who should be benched or fired: Ryan Poles
Ryan Poles is responsible for trading away the No. 1 pick in last year's draft because the Bears supposedly had faith in Justin Fields. As a refresher course, the Panthers used that selection on Bryce Young, but had the choice of Young, CJ Stroud or Anthony Richardson, among others. Chicago could have taken any of the three, and should Fields continue to Falter, that is a decision they'll come to regret.
Pole also traded a second-round selection for Chase Claypool, who despite catching a touchdown this past week is just one game removed from a complete and total lack of effort which got him called out in front of the team. The Steelers used that selection on Joey Porter, Jr., but the Bears would've had similar options with what amounted to a late first rounder, essentially.
Poles has made a number of questionable decisions, including hiring Eberflus, and deserves to go down with the ship if this sort of consistent losing continues.
