5 adjustments the Chicago Bears need to make right now
By Todd Welter
![Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/30fd3d2804bdf8663aab06ad782839c2616f892eb96190fc4036129ac4e5b6d9.jpg)
Play Roschon Johnson and D’Onta Foreman over Khalil Herbert.
This is not meant to be a slight at Herbert. He is an explosive player. Having Herbert pound the rock 15-20 times is not his game. He is more of a change of pace back and catching passes out of the backfield.
If Getsy is going to run all these screens, then Herbert and Moore should be the only players being targeted with their ability to run after the catch.
Herbert is just not going to run angrily to pick up those tough yards when the interior run-blocking is poor as it was against Green Bay.
Foreman and Johnson will run mad and lower the shoulder to get some yards. These are the guys who can help the Bears get positive yards on first and second down.
Johnson was one of the few bright spots in the second half. He gave the offense a spark with a hard run during the possession where the Bears got a score.
Also, it would be a good idea to play Herbert with either Johnson or Foreman to keep teams guessing.
While not ideal, reshuffle the offensive line.
The Chicago Bears’ offensive line was supposed to be upgraded in the offseason. Nate Davis was signed as a free agent to start at right guard. Darnell Wright was taken with the No. 10 pick in the first round to start at right tackle. Cody Whitehair was supposed to move back to center with Teven Jenkins moving to left guard.
Then injuries ruined those plans.
Jenkins suffered a leg injury and is starting the season on injured reserve. Davis missed a lot of camp with an undisclosed injury. Patrick also missed a lot of camp with injuries. Oh, and Whitehair suffered a hand injury.
That is why the line played like a unit that barely got to practice together.
The bigger issue was the Packers got a lot of pressure up the middle. That was a big problem last season with the center getting shoved around.
Patrick showed he was not the answer. It is time to go with a different center, especially with Vita Vea ready to wreck the line this Sunday.
The Chicago Bears could go with Dan Feeney who was acquired before the season started. Another idea is to start Ja’Tyre Carter at guard and move Whitehair back to center if his hand is healed enough to snap.
Carter had a good preseason and took a lot of the reps. He showed enough that he could be a starter someday. However, he might be better at right guard than left
Something has to be done as Fields has shown his game is affected when he is getting pressure in his face.