How the Bears Rebuild is Hidden Beneath the Struggles
The 2025 season has not gotten off to the start many Bears fans have been hoping for. The team has lost both games to divisional opponents to start the year. It is also very easy to feel like nothing has gone right. The issues range from poor play to too many penalties. Chicago has also been plagued by injuries to begin the year. The prime example of this is star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who may be out for the rest of the year. However, even with all of this, it is far too early to give up hope for the future.
The offense has certainly had its struggles to begin the year. These issues include a lack of playing time for the rookies, struggles with the offensive line, missed passes, and a minimal running game. While it may not have been at the level many have hoped, there has been evident progress under Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams has shown some significant improvements from last year, such as getting the ball out quicker. Another bright side has been the emergence of Rome Odunze. His play this year has established him as the leader of the receiver room. It may not make up for all of the struggles, but it is a promising sign. Being only two weeks in, it is not realistic to expect perfection right away, as growing pains are common.
Unfortunately for the defense, there are fewer positives to look at. There's a tiny pass rush, and the team has been torn apart in the passing game. As mentioned before, the injuries play a huge part in that. There are very few teams that can survive when they are down their top two cornerbacks. However, that does not excuse the rest of the defense for their struggles. For many of them, this is their first year playing under Dennis Allen. As the season goes on, the hope is that Allen can implement his system and find ways to bring out the best in his players.
It is still incredibly early in the season. If these issues persist later in the season, then it may be a cause for concern. It features an entirely new coaching staff and a roster of many new players. The growing pains are expected and okay. It is not the end of the world that there are struggles two weeks into the season. What does matter is how the team's chemistry grows throughout the season. It may not be pretty now, but struggles provide the team the opportunity to grow and adapt. While it is okay to be upset with the team's play, right now, fans should just sit back, take a breath, and watch as the team grows together.
