They said when Chicago roars, the whole NFL listens. Unfortunately, in 2014, the Chicago Bears were more of a muted meow rather than a powerful growl. The Bears struggled, they fumbled, and they showed us precisely how not to work together as a team. With marquee names like Jay Cutler at quarterback, the Bears should have been an intimidating force. But the season showcased a series of unfortunate events that unfolded from the Windy City's Soldier Field. Under the leadership of head coach Marc Trestman, hope was high on the Illinois horizon, but those expectations were quickly dashed and left stranded in the parking lot of failed political promises.
In this topsy-turvy season, the Bears compiled a 5–11 record. Here's the thing: Watching their games was a bit like watching liberals in office – full of promise but ultimately going nowhere fast. Instead of powerful touchdowns, fans got turnovers and tackles were missed more often than a politician missing the point of their own speech. This was the year spectators wanted simple football, but were met with a comedy of errors instead.
First things first: defense. Next to scoring, defense is vital, right? Well, the Bears’ defense in 2014 was like having an unarmed security guard for a bank heist. It conceded 442 points, averaging 27.6 points per game, ranking as the second-worst defense in the entire league. In their defense, and only maybe, was the emergence of Kyle Fuller. The rookie corner looked promising, offering a little hope amid a sea of seasoned incompetence.
Then there's the offensive fiasco. The potential firepower of the Bears offense could be a metaphor for those sweet student loan plans you hear about – sounds great initially, but somehow never fulfills the promise without a price. Despite having heavyweights like Matt Forte and Brandon Marshall, the team seemed collectively to miss the memo on cohesive play. Jay Cutler was wayward more than he was scoring, tossing interceptions like free frisbees at a beach party. When they lost 55-14 against the Green Bay Packers, it wasn't just a loss; it was a reeling knock to their backbone. That game defined the Bears’ season in one humiliating spectacle.
Speaking of the right strategy, one can easily compare coaching decisions of Trestman to rolling dice and hoping it lands on a five when you clearly need a ten. Decision-making, play-calling, and managing the personalities like Brandon Marshall took a backseat to the chaotic renditions played out on the field. How someone remains convinced that confusing their fans might be a winning strategy is beyond comprehension.
Now, the underestimation of special teams was another exhibit of brilliance. The role of special teams was toyed with, almost like it was thought irrelevant, costing games and presenting opponents with big breaks and open fields. Whether it was missed field goals or botched punt returns, bad luck or bad plays, the Bears found new, creative ways to stay grounded.
But wasn’t it all just peachy without any accountability higher up? Phil Emery, the then-general manager, couldn't escape scrutiny either. His moves during the off-season and draft days were less than inspiring, leaving fans scratching their heads while trying to figure out just why certain choices were made. Much like a politician amending policies to win accolades instead of results, it was a hit-and-miss affair.
Still, the comedy spilled over beyond the field. Soldier Field morphed into more a battlefield of discontent. Fan voices went hoarse from calling for change. Even a clear night skyline could not overshadow the internal turmoil, dissent, and disintegration within the organization. Ultimately, it led to Trestman and Emery’s departure, and the Bears began the search for leadership. Costly mistakes and missed opportunities littered the 2014 season highlight reel, rendering an ACL tear on strategic football.
On a lighter note, one could argue the players kept entertained by adding reality-TV-standard plotlines for the book of memoirs they might write one day. Drama was abundant, yet not valuable, character-building experience generally learned when a team hits rock bottom.
This entire season gives the conservative in all of us a reason to chuckle. Maybe even feel smug to some extent, recognizing the comedy when others miss it entirely. What better lesson than watching a political circus unfold on the playing turf, reminding us efficiency beats ideology in producing results. Alas, our beloved Bears in 2014! That year was less about holding the diamond and more about fumbling before the precious moment arrived. But hey, there’s always another season, another chance, and hopefully, more seasoned managers lighting the way for Chicago.
If not, watching this whole spectacle gave us more than enough entertainment. Like a well-scripted sitcom, the Chicago Bears’ 2014 season is worth a watch replete with the lessons in lack, the joy in errors, and a hint of delight in simple misdirection.