The Chicago Bears’ 2024 season trudged to another painful low in Week 17 with a dismal 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. This 10th straight defeat was a stark reminder of a franchise mired in mediocrity, as the Bears struggled both offensively and defensively in a game that left fans shaking their heads in frustration. For the Bears, it wasn’t just another loss—a symbol of a season that feels like it will never end.
A Defensive Stand That Fell Short
If there was a silver lining for Chicago on Thursday night, it was their defence. Despite being on the field for most of the game, the Bears defence held the Seahawks to just six points—a commendable feat. Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson had stellar individual performances, but with little to no help from their offensive counterparts, the defence’s efforts went in vain. Chicago’s defence fought tooth and nail, but it’s hard to win when your offence can’t move the ball.
The defence did its best to provide a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak contest. In the first half, they showed resilience, shutting down Seattle’s run game and forcing the Seahawks to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. Yet, despite all the effort, it wasn’t enough to overcome the systemic struggles plaguing the team. Chicago’s defence was left helpless as the offence continued to falter.
The Offensive Line: A Catastrophic Failure
For the Bears, the offence was nothing short of catastrophic. Quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s shown promise throughout the season, was sacked seven times during the game. With 67 sacks this season, Williams holds the record for most sacks endured in a single season in Bears history—an ugly milestone one sack away from setting an NFL record. The offensive line, once again, was the primary culprit.
The Bears entered the game already understaffed, missing starting left tackle Braxton Jones and left guard Cody Whitehair, and things quickly went downhill. Larry Borom, Jake Curhan, and centre Coleman Shelton stepped into the breach, but their performance was disastrous. Particularly bad was Curhan, who replaced the injured Teven Jenkins. Curhan’s penalties—two in critical moments—were painful reminders of how poorly the offensive line performed. One penalty negated a potential touchdown pass from Williams to wide receiver Rome Odunze, a missed opportunity that encapsulated the team’s season.
Williams showed flashes of brilliance, but he couldn’t function under constant pressure. The rookie quarterback took a hit after hit yet continued to battle. However, no matter how much heart Williams displayed, there is only so much one person can do when the offensive line is in shambles.
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Fans Unleash Frustration: ‘Sell the Team!’
As the Bears’ offence continued to sputter and the Seahawks’ defence imposed their will, Soldier Field’s frustration boiled over. By the fourth quarter, the chants were deafening. “Sell the team!” echoed through the stands as Bears fans, fed up with the franchise’s inability to turn things around, voiced their displeasure with the McCaskey family’s ownership. This wasn’t just a loss—it was the defeat that fans could no longer stomach. It’s the 10th straight loss, and with just one more game remaining in the season, it’s hard to see any silver lining.
The Bears are in a deep funk, and after the season ends, significant changes are inevitable. Fans demand a shift in ownership, coaching, and player personnel, demanding that the team finally make the decisions needed to restore pride to a once-proud franchise.
Looking Toward the Future: Can a Rebuild Save the Bears?
The Bears may be sleepwalking toward the end of the season, but the offseason presents an opportunity for change. The team must make tough decisions; the most significant questions revolve around coaching and the offensive line. With Caleb Williams showing potential as the franchise’s future, the priority should be fixing the line that’s been his undoing all season.
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The front office will have to evaluate the future of head coach Matt Eberflus. If this team doesn’t show significant improvement next year, it might be time for a change of direction.
For now, the focus is on the last game of the season, but after a 10-game losing streak, it’s clear: something must change. The Chicago Bears can no longer afford to wait. The time for a rebuild is now. Fans want more than a competitive team—they want a winner. And for that, drastic changes are on the horizon.