Starting the season out 0-2 is hardly how Chicago Bears fans envisioned things starting out under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. While a loss to the Detroit Lions was hardly a surprise, the way it looked after fumbling away a home game against the Minnesota Vikings was genuinely shocking. Adding to this frustration is the fact that Chicago's rookie class was exactly zero help in the effort.
Bear Report's Zack Pearson laid out this case with arguably the most concerning piece of this being the inactives.
Offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo was at least expected to be a factor as a backup swing option, if not push for a starting job. The 56th overall pick was given a fair amount of buzz heading into camp and the preseason, but has offered exactly zero contributions, unable to make the active roster. Similarly, defensive lineman Shemar Stewart was a second-round selection expected to contribute to the defensive line in his first year in the league.
Bears Rookies Failing at an Alarming Rate Amid Slow Start to Season
Trapilo and Stewart's struggles to earn playing time aren't the only concerns among the Bears' rookie class, as Luther Burden and Colston Loveland have also dealt with hiccups. The first-year pair has a combined four catches for a grand total of 14 yards in the first two weeks of the season. While it is still early, this lack of production is alarming for two pieces expected to have an instant impact.
Not all the blame can go on quarterback Caleb Williams, who is still finding ways to get the football to wideouts Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. The veteran tandem can only do so much on their own, though, and Bears fans are starting to question if general manager Ryan Poles' latest draft decisions will blow up in his face.
Running back Kyle Monangai only has 47 scrimmage yards on nine touches, while OL Luke Newman has played just 11 total snaps. That's without mentioning cornerback Zah Frazier, who's out for the entire season due to a personal problem.
Early returns on the Johnson era are hardly exciting, with it appearing that the entire draft class is a bust. However, this is where it is important to remember that we are not yet two full weeks into the season, and the Bears have a lot of road ahead to change early impressions. Still, it is completely fair to point out that things are off to a slow start.
For the Bears to become a surprise wildcard contender, the path was clearly Johnson fixing Williams, with Burden and Loveland coming in and making an instant impact. That hasn't happened so far, and the defensive pieces added have failed to have an impact, too.
All combining to push the Bears to a 0-2 start and leave fans questioning whether or not this class is truly a bust. Regardless of the answer, there is no rational fan willing to deny that the early returns have been alarming. Pushing Bears fans to consider that perhaps this season is yet again headed down a frustrating path after an offseason full of hype.