The Chicago Bears returned to Halas Hall on Monday to assessment their 41-10 loss to the Detroit Lions and start preparations for Sunday’s season finale towards the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.
Here are three issues we heard from Bears coach Matt Eberflus and his gamers.
1. Matt Eberflus, common supervisor Ryan Poles and coaches are discussing who will play Sunday.
Eberflus mentioned the Bears will think about participant well being as they decide whether or not quarterback Justin Fields and others get on the sphere towards the Vikings.
After the loss to the Lions, Eberflus mentioned Fields would play if wholesome, and he reiterated that Monday. But Fields has been taking part in by way of a separated left shoulder for a month, and he mentioned he had a hip concern that required stretching throughout Sunday’s recreation.
He nonetheless performed till the top of the blowout loss as a result of Eberflus mentioned coaches believed the “live experience” was vital for Fields. But the Bears might think about these well being points as they weigh whether or not he will get yet one more recreation.
“The health of the football team … where we were two weeks ago is different than where we are now,” Eberflus mentioned. “So it’s important that we evaluate that.”
A loss additionally would enhance the Bears’ probabilities at the next draft choose, with their potential first-round choice starting from No. 1 to No. 4 relying how Week 18 performs out.
On the flip facet, Fields has an opportunity to interrupt Lamar Jackson’s single-season quarterback speeding file of 1,206 yards. Fields has 1,143 and has rushed for 64 yards or extra eight instances this season.
After turning into the third NFL quarterback to hurry for 1,000 yards in a season, together with Jackson and Michael Vick, Fields mentioned final month he wouldn’t thoughts going after the file.
“It’s an important factor, but it’s not end-all, be-all,” Eberflus mentioned Monday when requested in regards to the file. “Certainly the health of our team is the most important thing.”
2. Bears coaches spoke with vast receiver Chase Claypool about displaying his frustration on the sideline.
Fields mentioned Sunday he briefly talked to Claypool on the sideline a few small outburst, telling him it’s “good to have emotion in a game, but you just have to know how to control it. You can’t let it come out like that because at the end of the day, that’s not helping anybody.”
Eberflus praised Fields’ feedback, calling them “perfect,” and mentioned coaches additionally talked to Claypool.
“We understand how we want to operate on the sideline,” Eberflus mentioned. “Because on the sideline, you’re there to encourage actually and there to problem — that’s good too. But there’s a method to go about that. And once you go about it the correct approach, it’s constructive and it’s productive.
“If you go about it a certain way, then it’s taking away focus and energy because everybody’s looking over and seeing what’s going on. So it’s just got to be productive. You’ve got to have some self-control — with the controlled violence that you have to play this game with.”
Claypool has had a bumpy transition for the reason that Bears acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2023 second-round choose on the commerce deadline. In six video games, he has 12 catches for 111 yards on 23 targets. He missed Weeks 15 and 16 with a knee harm and was focused solely as soon as Sunday whereas taking part in in a restricted capability due to the knee.
Fields mentioned Claypool responded to their speak by saying: “Yeah, my fault. I’m just frustrated right now.”
“He’s a hard worker,” Fields mentioned. “I do know he desires to be nice, so the extra time we get to spend with one another, the extra time we get to know one another (the higher). … Just having the ability to apply earlier within the week, that will get me on the identical web page with him, seeing how he runs routes, a number of the stuff like that.
“So of course we want to get him the ball. Being passionate about the game like he is and his want to be great is good for our team, and we’re going to keep getting better and keep growing and learning.”
3. Wide receiver Dante Pettis was cleared to fly dwelling after a visit to the hospital.
Pettis left Sunday’s recreation to be evaluated for a concussion. He cleared protocol, Eberflus mentioned, however he went to the hospital after the sport for blurred imaginative and prescient.
Eberflus mentioned Pettis flew dwelling individually from the workforce.
“He’s still getting evaluated with the doctors just to make sure everything’s all good,” Eberflus mentioned.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com