You sat down in your living room or somewhere in your house that you hold sacred for Bears games. You fired up the TV, rocking your #1 Justin Fields jersey with a hopeful gaze as you anticipated the Bears finally overcoming the Packers and moving towards becoming a modern NFL franchise.

The ball is kicked, the Bears begin their drive with a run of no gain, then a huge 19-yard play from Justin Fields to Khalil Herbert. Four plays later, the drive is over. The Packers receive the ball and score without a hitch. By the end of the night, you’re empty.

It happened again.

The Packers trounced the Bears 38-20. The Quarterback play was underwhelming, and the play-calling would make any other team’s fans feel better about theirs. In a better world, this game is a one-off and not a cause for concern. It’s simply a bad game that you brush off and wish for the best later. But this isn’t a better world, and it’s exactly the type of game you feared.

If you’re a Chicago Bears fan, this is just another disappointing Sunday in what seems like a lifetime of disappointments. This franchise hasn’t had a winning season since last decade, and has not won a game since October 24th, 2022. Despair is no longer an unfamiliar face. It’s the devil on your shoulder who tells you every Sunday, “same shit, different toilet”.

The problem is: it’s correct.

Despite the coach, the general manager, and the CEO being new, nothing has changed for the Bears. The defense underwhelms, the Quarterback cannot pass. In fact, the only bright spot for almost every Bears season is this: there’s something good at running back, but that is all and it’s not enough.

While Bears fans watched in hope at Roschon Johnson’s tenacity, effort, and raw talent, they couldn’t help but feel melancholy at the abysmal play from every other part of the ball.

Justin Fields, who fans have placed their hopes in, underwhelmed with a 24 of 37 performance for 216 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Sadly, Justin reverted back to many old and painful habits: holding onto the ball too long, becoming anxious in the pocket and not allowing routes to develop before he takes whatever is left. Meanwhile the defense let first year starter Jordan Love go turnover-free for with three passing touchdowns. It is a painfully familiar scene.

Be clear, It is not all or even solely on Justin Fields. Newly extended TE Cole Kmet played a completely non-physical game while Guard Nate Davis became a turnstile for opposing defensive lineman. In addition, Luke Getsy called one of his more confusing games with designed sneaks to Cole Kmet and bubble screens in more obvious downs situations.

The bad news: this loss is horrible and might be an indicator of the entire season.

The good news: It is Week 1 and the offense had an eerily similar slow start last year before it exploded for several weeks.

The reality: the defense probably won’t get much better.

Second year defensive coordinator Alan Williams has his hands full with a front four who aren’t getting much better. While some blitzing and unique pressure can help keep teams honest, if your interior guys are stonewalled at the line of scrimmage, your blitzing will eventually be countered, and more adjustments will have to happen.

I’ve said all of that to say this: This is not the end of the Bears season. Justin Fields is not a bust. This defense is not the worst you’ve ever seen. The problem with those statements is that they could eventually become true without major changes from the coaching staff as well as the players.

The Bears need to find ways to make Justin Jones and Andrew Billings successful and if they can’t do it, they need to shuffle that interior line until someone shows up who can. Justin Fields started off slowly so Luke Getsy must tailor his offense around Justin’s strengths; tempo changes that allow Justin to get the ball out quickly, while taking advantage of his impressive deep ball skills.

As he builds momentum, they must allow him to be HIM. He has to take shots down the field, audible when he feels comfortable and lastly; to fail. It’s better for Justin Fields to throw interceptions while trying to push the ball downfield than to sit in a conservative offense that is too frightened of turnovers.

In 2023, every offense in the National Football League is committing more turnovers. What matters is how well you respond, as well as learn from those mistakes.

Aw Shit, Here We Go Again…