The Chicago Bears suffered a 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. While the loss ended their four-game winning streak, it also created a laundry list of problems that must be addressed if they want to compete in the NFC this season.
One of the issues that has flown under the radar is the Bears’ performance on special teams. That unit had an especially rough day in Week 8, allowing an average of 30.8 yards on kick returns, which made things even more difficult for Chicago's short-staffed defense to put up a fight down several impact players.
This group's overall performance should have coordinator Richard Hightower on the hot seat as the Bears draws closer to the midway point of the season.
Richard Hightower Under Fire After Bears’ Latest Special Teams Struggles
Hightower is in his fifth season as Chicago’s special teams coordinator but Sunday seemed like the boiling point for his team’s struggles. Outside of the kickoff returns, the Bears had a questionable decision with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter when Jordan Stout punted from the Chicago 44-yard line. While the Bears didn’t rush Stout, they also cleared out from the kick, allowing Tylan Wallace to down the punt at the four-yard line.
Down 16-13, it put the Bears in a precarious position before Joe Thuney was called for a false start. Kyle Monangai gained the two yards back on a carry the following play, but Caleb Williams tried to do too much, throwing an interception to Nate Wiggins that set up a backbreaking, 10-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Huntley to Charlie Kolar with 8:13 to play.
Hightower’s unit also had a tough day kicking field goals even with the return of Cairo Santos. While Santos made 3-of-4 kicks, he missed a 58-yarder at the end of the first half and barely had a 47-yarder clear the crossbar with 5:06 left in the game, adding another shaky element to the special teams unit.
Pro Football Focus has given the Bears’ special teams a positive review with the third-highest grade in the NFL at 90.8 entering Sunday’s game. But the hard stats tell a different story as their 11.9 yards per punt return allowed and their 26.2 yards per kick return are the 11th-highest in the NFL before Sunday’s loss.
It could just be a bad day at the office, but Hightower has to be feeling the heat. If the coverage blunders don’t disappear soon, the seat could get hotter and cost the Bears a chance at a playoff spot.