Chicago Bears Head Coach Calls Out 5 Players for Playoff Elimination
The Chicago Bears have long been a franchise with high expectations, particularly when it comes to their storied history and the desire to return to postseason prominence. However, the 2024 season has proven to be another year of frustration for the Bears and their loyal fanbase. Despite a roster brimming with talent and an offseason that promised a renewed competitive edge, the Bears have once again failed to secure a playoff spot, effectively ending their hopes of contention for the year. In a shocking post-game press conference following the Bears’ official elimination from playoff contention, head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t hold back. He directly addressed the performance of several players who, in his view, played a significant role in the team’s inability to reach the postseason.
“Look, we know that football is a team sport. We know there are a lot of moving parts, and everyone has a role to play in whether or not we succeed. But there are some individual performances that can’t be ignored. These are the kinds of things that, if not addressed, will keep you out of the playoffs,” Eberflus stated. “There are players who didn’t step up when we needed them the most, and that contributed directly to where we are now: eliminated.”
In this scathing critique, Eberflus called out five players by name—players whose individual mistakes, underperformance, or lack of accountability ultimately derailed the Bears’ playoff hopes.
1. Quarterback Justin Fields
The most notable and perhaps the most painful critique came when Eberflus addressed the performance of quarterback Justin Fields. Fields, the former first-round pick, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his young career, but his 2024 campaign has been marked by inconsistency and errors in key moments. Eberflus emphasized that, as the leader of the offense, Fields’ inability to execute in critical situations was a major factor in the Bears’ inability to put together a consistent playoff push.
“Justin has a lot of talent, and we’ve seen him make incredible plays. But when it matters the most—whether it’s late-game situations, red zone opportunities, or avoiding critical turnovers—he hasn’t been able to deliver,” Eberflus said. “As the quarterback, you’re the one who dictates the flow of the game. Too often, we were stuck in situations where Justin missed key reads or made poor decisions under pressure.”
Fields, whose development has been a focal point for the franchise, has had difficulty finding rhythm in the passing game this year. His performance under duress has been a particular area of concern, as the Bears have struggled with turning close games into wins. His inability to command the offense in high-stakes situations has drawn the ire of both fans and the coaching staff, leading to Eberflus’ blunt assessment.
2. Wide Receiver DJ Moore
While Justin Fields has been under scrutiny, so too has his primary target, DJ Moore. The former Carolina Panther was brought in to provide a dynamic, reliable playmaker on the outside, and for much of the season, he delivered—racking up solid statistics and showing flashes of brilliance. However, in critical moments of games where the Bears needed a go-to receiver to make a play, Moore was notably absent. Eberflus singled out Moore’s lack of consistency in high-pressure situations.
“There were too many times when we needed a big catch, and DJ wasn’t there. Whether it was on third downs or in the red zone, he didn’t make the plays we needed,” Eberflus said. “We brought him in to be a difference-maker, but you can’t be a difference-maker if you’re not there when your team needs you the most.”
Moore’s drop in production at key points in the season, including a lack of separation from defenders and issues with ball security, were glaring. For a team that relied heavily on explosive plays, Moore’s inability to step up in clutch moments further highlighted the challenges the Bears faced in their offense.
3. Offensive Line Struggles: Teven Jenkins
The Bears’ offensive line has been a constant point of concern for years, and 2024 was no different. One of the key players who stood out in terms of underperformance was guard Teven Jenkins. Jenkins, who has shown promise in past seasons, was largely ineffective in his blocking assignments, particularly in pass protection. His inability to protect Fields, combined with his struggles in the run game, was a massive hurdle for the Bears’ offense. Eberflus called out Jenkins specifically for his lack of discipline and inability to execute fundamental techniques.
“Teven Jenkins has had a tough year. And it’s not just the penalties or the missed blocks—it’s the timing. At crucial moments, when we needed to give Justin time to throw, he failed to keep his assignment. Those breakdowns killed drives and put us in unfavorable positions,” Eberflus remarked.
Jenkins, who had a breakout 2023 campaign, seemed to regress this season, and his struggles were especially evident during high-stakes games. Fields often faced pressure from his side of the line, and Jenkins’ inability to neutralize defenders led to too many sacks and hurried throws.
4. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson
On defense, one of the standout disappointments was cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who had been expected to be a lockdown defender. While Johnson has had good stretches this season, his inability to shut down key receivers in crucial games led to several critical losses for the Bears. Eberflus mentioned that Johnson, who had earned the reputation of a solid cover corner, lacked the consistency needed to make a true difference.
“Jaylon has all the tools, but we need him to make more plays,” Eberflus said. “In games where we needed a stop, or a turnover, or a shutdown on a big third down, he wasn’t consistently able to deliver. When you’re in the secondary, you have to be able to rise to the occasion, and too many times this season, Jaylon didn’t.”
Johnson’s inconsistency in coverage, especially against top-tier receivers, was one of the main reasons the Bears’ defense struggled to contain passing offenses. His inability to force turnovers or make critical stops at key moments ultimately contributed to the team’s inability to secure victories in must-win games.
5. Linebacker Roquan Smith
Finally, linebacker Roquan Smith, long seen as the heart of the Bears’ defense, also drew criticism from his head coach. Smith’s leadership was questioned, as the Bears defense failed to perform in pivotal games that had playoff implications. While Smith had strong individual performances, his leadership on the field, especially in directing the defense and making necessary adjustments during critical situations, was called into question by Eberflus.
“Roquan is a fantastic player, but there were times this season when we needed him to step up and lead this defense in key moments,” Eberflus explained. “Whether it was an adjustment on the fly or making a tackle in the open field, Roquan wasn’t always the one to make those plays when it mattered most. We need more from him as a leader.”
Smith, whose passion and work ethic have never been in doubt, couldn’t carry the defense through the rough patches when the Bears needed it most. The lack of big plays, forced turnovers, and stops during key drives left the Bears’ defense exposed.
Conclusion
Head coach Matt Eberflus’ direct comments were a wake-up call to both the players and the fans. With the Bears now officially out of playoff contention, Eberflus is holding his players accountable. The blame for the team’s elimination cannot fall on any one individual, but these five players are seen as critical pieces who failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. Moving forward, the Bears will need to address these issues, either through player development or in future roster changes, to prevent another year of disappointment and push for playoff contention once again.
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