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Instant Bears Player Ratings: I’m just tired

Instant Bears Player Ratings: I’m just tired

The Bears are simply playing the least inspired football I have ever seen. They got what they wanted by firing their former head coach. Since then they have played worse football and shown even less energy. Tonight was the latest example of that.

Just take me to next season already, I’m tired.

attack

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs with the ball as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) attempts to make the tackle in the second quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

QB Caleb Williams | C-

Caleb certainly did some good things today, and it wasn’t his worst performance, but he was just off the mark for most of the evening. He missed some open throws and held on to the ball a little too long at times. The terrible, terrible sack that Kiran Amegadjie allowed in the first quarter seemed to rattle the Bears’ rookie QB for a while. For some reason, the receivers’ quarterbacks seem to be on different sides far too often. This late in the season there is no excuse for something like this to happen. It’s on the QB, the receivers and the coaching. You are all responsible.

RB D’Andre Swift | A-

People love to go hard on D’Andre Swift, and in my opinion he’s not a true No. 1 running back, but he played his ass off tonight. The offensive line was bad and he pretty much made a lot out of nothing. He wasn’t able to grab 4th-and-1, but one was a throw behind a rookie third-round pick from Yale, and the other was touched before he even got back to the line of scrimmage. The output of over four yards per carry and nearly 80 yards on the ground behind this offensive line was impressive, as was his effort. I may have to change this during the week, but there was no end to Swift tonight.

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) plays against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

WR DJ Moore | B+

I liked how Moore was used in the rushing game and as an extension of the running game, with the running back room lacking depth. I would have liked to have seen him be a little more focused in the second half, but that’s not just his fault. He was fine this evening.

WR Rom Odunze | C

Odunze was solid once again and did a good job of taking the lead tonight, even if he wasn’t always found when he was. It’s debatable whether putting him at nine was the right decision given the position’s needs, but there’s not much doubt that the Bears acquired one heck of a wide receiver.

I originally had Odunze as a B, but his end zone drop in the 4th quarter caused him to lose a full letter grade. I don’t care what the situation is, it’s never okay.

WR Keenan Allen | C+

Keenan Allen made some nice catches when Caleb needed him too, but also had some important drops. Drops are simply never acceptable, especially when you’re a veteran as talented as Allen. He scored a nice touchdown in the fourth when it was too little, too late.

TE Cole Kmet | F

Last week after the Niners game, Patrick wrote this about Cole Kmet: “At this point, I have no idea what role or purpose Cole Kmet has in the Chicago Bears’ offense.”

I think that sums it up pretty well. I don’t know if it’s him, the coaching, or a combination of both, but how he went from a very good tight end to a disappearing act in such a short amount of time is mind-boggling.

offensive line | F

I don’t care that they got better as the game went on, at least a little. Kiran Amegadjie was a disaster and almost killed Caleb Williams. He also took too many penalties and had trouble with the silent count (shockingly, the Yale draft pick had a difficult time in one of the loudest NFL stadiums). Earlier this week I insisted that he give it a few starts to see what we have in him. It was just a game, but it feels like we know it now.

Darnell Wright is really good and can be an anchor. That is the only certainty for next year.

BearsBears
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears fans during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

defense

Defensive line | C

As exhausted as this unit was, they showed some fight and put a lot of pressure on Sam Darnold. They weren’t particularly good against the run, but they didn’t suffer any cuts either. A few untimely penalties hurt them, but overall they were good enough for a unit that was missing several starters and contributors.

linebacker | D

I just don’t know what to think of this group. TJ Edwards is a really nice player, but he can’t really be your best playmaker on this unit. Tremaine Edmunds has all the tools to be really good, but he’s just… there. Were they terrible today? No. But have they failed again? Yes indeed.

Secondary | C-

Kyler Gordon had a good evening, but other than that there were just too many mistakes. The Vikings have as good a pass-catching group as the NFL, so it was a difficult challenge. But aside from Tyrique Stevenson’s interception, they didn’t really do much.

Special teams

K Cairo Santos | A

He made his two kicks and his extra point. Secure.

P Tory Taylor | C+

Taylor punted just three times and averaged 47.3 yards per punt, with two of them coming inside 20 yards. Fine, whatever.

Coaching

Thomas Brown | F

More nothing in the first half. Doug Kramer didn’t report, costing the Bears a touchdown. It was a strange decision to go for 4th-and-1 on the first drive from about 35. The team seems lifeless. The offense is poorly trained. The defense goes through the motions. Part of that comes down to leadership in the locker room, but it’s also up to the coaching staff to get the best out of their players. Brown has brought a lot to the table in a very short amount of time, and it feels like it’s turning out to be too much, too fast.

However, we probably got the answer to whether or not he can be a legitimate head coach candidate for this team in the future.

is worn by interim coach Thomas Brownis worn by interim coach Thomas Brown
Mandatory attribution: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Eric Washington | D

The defense was definitely better than last week and settled in after a difficult start. However, like the rest of the team, they just seem like they’re just going through things. 30 points isn’t good enough, part of that can be attributed to the offense not getting anything going, but the defense also made its fair share of mistakes.

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