Chicago Bears’ 2014 Midseason Grade

By Paul Kakert @edpvideo on October 28, 2014

Unless you are a glutton for punishment, you may not want to read any further.

There is only one grade that makes any sense to assign to the 2014 Chicago Bears. Heading into the bye week, the Bears are 3-5, trailing the 6-2 Detroit Lions and 5-3 Green Bay Packers. Based on the level of play through eight games, there will be no rally and no run to the playoffs for the Bears.

Let’s back up and go way back to the first drive in the first game, which might be the height of the Bears’ season. If you remember, Jay Cutler led the Bears down the field in impressive fashion. They were everything the preseason hype told us they would be. That drive seemed to be scripted to showcase their talented receiving corps: a first-down pass to Brandon Marshall followed by a 44-yard bomb to Alshon Jeffery, capped by a 12-yard touchdown to Martellus Bennett.

Really, that is how the Bears started the season. I vaguely remember thinking there must have been an electricity running through fans as they envisioned the potential of this offense. Unfortunately, through nagging injuries in that same game to Marshall, Jeffrey and the offensive line, the Bears started their downward slide towards the basement of the NFC North without delay.

In a microcosm of the season to date, that game saw impressive numbers by Cutler, but also featured costly mistakes, turnovers and injuries and eventually led to the first of many losses.

The Bears are in a death spin, and I believe that more and more with each passing game. If you imagine the Bears regrouping in the bye week, just look ahead to them starting the second half of the season on the road against a Green Bay team that looks like a strong playoff team and title contender.

Marc Trestman has completely lost this team. He appears overmatched as a play caller and is completely incapable of bringing players together to play their best. The 2014 Bears are making an argument for talent not being enough. They have the talent, but don’t have the discipline and leadership to perform. They are a total failure.

Midseason grade: F

Paul Kakert is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @edpvideo, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.