We knew this wasn’t going to start well for the Bears, especially considering the last time coach John Fox won a game in September, Peyton Manning was his quarterback.
But 0-2 for this group of Bears isn’t just a warning sign; it’s a death knell.
Oh, sure, teams can overcome 0-2 starts and make the playoffs. A whopping 12 percent have done it since 2000. Heck, the 2011 Giants dropped their first two and won a Super Bowl, so why all the hand-wringing?
Well, these Bears aren’t the 2011 Giants or even the 2017 Chargers, one of the nine 0-2 teams this season. The Chargers are two missed field goals away from being 2-0.
No, these 0-2 Bears are well on their way to 0-5, 0-6, 0-7 . . . looking, looking.
Since 2007, the numbers are even more damning for 0-2 teams making the playoffs. Only nine of 83 such teams have pulled off the feat.
For those who think tanking in the NFL works, you’re probably ecstatic about the Bears’ start. Draft a big weapon for Mitch Trubisky — maybe another Kevin White? — and we’re all good.
It doesn’t work that way.
While Trubisky might or might not be the leader of the future, he’s going to need a lot more support than just a top draft pick.
True, 11 of the last 17 Super Bowls have been won by quarterbacks named Brady, Manning and Roethlisberger, but each of those players had great coaches and systems around them. The Bears have neither right now.
Sooner or later, the Bears are going to have to see what Trubisky can do. With the Steelers and Packers up next and licking their chops, now is probably not the right time for his coming-out party. But that game against the Saints two days before Halloween can’t get here fast enough.
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