3 Chicago Bears worst-case scenarios for the rest of the season

The Chicago Bears are about to play a critical seven-game stretch that determines the franchise’s future steps.

A playoff appearance is highly unlikely since the team would have to win out. Since the Bears have not won back-to-back games under head coach Matt Eberflus, that happening seems remote at best.

This stretch is still important to get a final evaluation on quarterback Justin Fields.

Also, Eberflus is possibly coaching to return next season.

Matt Eberflus saving his job is one of three worst-case outcomes that can happen during this final stretch.

He has proved that he is another over-promoted defensive coordinator.

While the defense has improved since he had to take over play-calling duties, the team continues to not live up to his H.I.T.S principle.

They commit too many costly penalties. Chicago has yet to beat an opponent with a winning record. The Bears do not win if they lose the turnover battle.

In addition, Justin Fields (we will address him shortly) has not shown much improvement as a passer. Part of that reason is the offensive coordinator Eberflus hired, Luke Getsy, who has tried to make Fields into the second coming of Aaron Rodgers.

Also, Eberflus comes off as a fool every time he opens his mouth.

If the franchise chooses to move on from Fields, you do not want Eberflus coaching to keep his job next year with a rookie quarterback.

That is why you want to see the Chicago Bears win some games but not enough to where general manager Ryan Poles decides to keep Eberflus around.

Justin Fields plays poorly.

Some may not like this but the ideal situation is Justin Fields plays great during these final games.

That way if the Carolina Panthers continue to lose and hands the Chicago Bears the top pick, Poles can leverage that selection for more assets like he did last offseason.

If Fields plays inconsistently like he has all season (he has only played well in seven quarters), then Poles needs to move on.

It also means Fields will have diminished value in the trade market.

Moving on is not going to be awful if there is a chance to draft USC’s Caleb Williams who is considered to be a generational talent. North Carolina’s Drake Maye also is a potential stud.

To get either, the Bears need the Panthers to lose out. That brings us to the final worst-case situation.

The Carolina Panthers win games.

The Panthers right now have the worst record in the NFL. Bears fans need to root for whoever plays them since the team owns the rights to Carolina’s first-round pick.

A lot can change between now and the end of the season. With no incentive to tank, you can bet Carolina is going to try to win as much as they can.

Thankfully rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the whole reason the Panthers traded with the Bears last offseason, looks overmatched.

If he gets hurt or benched, it is not inconceivable for Andy Dalton (former Bears QB1) to lead Carolina to some wins especially since they play in the awful NFC South.

That means possibly being knocked out of the top two picks. It means not having an ace in the hole in case Fields continues to struggle.