Chicago Bears coordinators, players and defensive assistant coaches met with reporters Friday at Halas Hall after a practice to prepare for Monday night’s road game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Here are four things we learned from those sessions.
1. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington said he is “disappointed … but just very determined” after the showing against the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington’s first go as defensive play caller after replacing Matt Eberflus was a rough one. The Bears gave up 38 points and 452 yards in the 38-13 loss, and the coordinator took the blame Friday.
“Clearly we failed to meet the mark in terms of anything that could be considered an acceptable performance,” he said. “And that starts with me.”
Washington said the Bears scrutinized their process, preparation, strategy and core values this week as they try to prevent another flop against the Vikings. But he also said he chooses to believe the game was “an anomaly as far as the character of our guys and the way that we perform.”
The Bears are about to face Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. He threw for 330 yards and two TDs in the Vikings’ 30-27 overtime victory over the Bears in Week 12.
They’re coming off allowing 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to throw for 325 yards and total a 145.4 passer rating. Washington pointed to the pass rush, which sacked Purdy once and had three quarterback hits, as a major culprit.
“We have to be better. Everything starts with rush and coverage,” Washington said. “Any time we’re in a situation where we’re facing a passing concept, it all starts with our ability to affect the quarterback. Any time the quarterback is able to stand back there, the receivers are going to break open whether you’re in a zone or man concept. It starts with rush and coverage.”
2. Offensive coordinator Chris Beatty said he can see the “relationship budding” between quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in their rookie seasons.
Odunze had both touchdown catches from Williams against the 49ers — a 4-yarder in the third quarter and a 14-yarder in the fourth — for his first two-touchdown game. Beatty said Odunze and Williams have developed a great rapport.
“That’s something that is going to be exciting for Bears fans for a long time, I think,” Beatty said.
Odunze’s four-catch game brought him to 45 catches for 585 yards and three touchdowns this season. Beatty dubbed him “quarterback-friendly,” especially for a rookie, because of his advanced route running and knack for moving his body to help his quarterback.
And Beatty has been impressed by his off-the-field approach too.
“He’s a special player, but he’s also a special person,” Beatty said. “Everything that you coach, he takes in. If you ever saw his notebook, it looks like a college kid that’s in whatever kind of business class . … You respect that because he wants to learn from everybody. Whether it’s Keenan (Allen) talking, DJ (Moore) talking, I’m talking, Thomas in the front, he’s taking notes with everybody.”
3. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter sat out of practice with a knee injury.
Dexter didn’t practice for the second straight day as he deals with the injury. The Bears already are playing without nose tackle Andrew Billings, who is on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. Defensive line coach Travis Smith said they would be missing a “big, long, disruptive, physical person” if Dexter can’t go too.
“He has a ton of size, length and power that can play the run inside but also penetrate and take away the depth of the pocket,” Smith said. “ Whether he’s in there or not, the next guy still has to find a way to affect the way he does.”
Running back D’Andre Swift also missed practice with a groin injury, though Beatty said he thinks Swift could return to practice Saturday. The Bears are being “prudent” with his recovery.
Running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) also sat out Friday. Safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) and cornerback Josh Blackwell (shoulder) were limited.
4. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower congratulated former Bears kicker Robbie Gould.
Gould was named the head football coach at St. Viator High School after serving in the same role at Rolling Meadows this past season. Hightower, who coached Gould with the 49ers, said he will “do a hell of a job.”
“He is as detailed as a person I have ever been around,” Hightower said. “He will do a great job at it ’cause he works his tail off and he really cares, so I’m wishing him the best of luck.”
Bears tight end Cole Kmet, a St. Viator alum, also approved.
“I know everyone’s excited at Viator about it,” Kmet said. “It’ll be cool to see. I’ll be rooting Robbie on heavily here. Happy for him for sure.”
