Frustration bubbled over in the Chicago Bears locker room following their shocking 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The defeat, sealed by a improbable 52-yard Hail Mary as time expired, left Bears captains grappling with questions of player accountability and head-scratching coaching decisions.
Captains Voice Concerns, Stand By Message
Wide receiver DJ Moore expressed regret that his criticism of a key playcall “should have just stayed in-house” but did not back down from the substance of his remarks. Moore had publicly questioned the wisdom of handing the ball to backup center Doug Kramer on a pivotal 3rd and goal from the 1-yard line.
I mean, I’m not going to say ‘sorry’ for what I said, but at the same time … it should have just stayed in-house. But I said what I said. I answered the question truthfully.
DJ Moore, Bears wide receiver
Moore was not alone in his public airing of grievances. All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson questioned why the defense wasn’t better prepared to defend the fateful final play, suggesting a timeout could have been used. Rookie corner Tyrique Stevenson also came under fire for taunting Washington fans in the final seconds before realizing the Hail Mary was unfolding.
Eberflus Empowers Players, Preaches Accountability
Head coach Matt Eberflus said the team culture empowers players to speak their minds, as long as it’s done the right way. “We have that policy that, hey, it’s open communication,” Eberflus explained. “And if it’s done in the right way, with respect, and if it’s done in the right way in the theme of winning, about winning football, winning habits, then we’re all in for that.”
Eberflus also emphasized that accountability starts with him as a head coach. “It’s all about accountability and execution, and that starts with me,” he stated. “The game didn’t finish the way we wanted it to, and again that starts with me.”
Team Aims to Regroup, Relies on Player Leadership
The Bears now aim to regroup and move forward as a team. Quarterback Caleb Williams and veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis highlighted the importance of player leadership in navigating adversity.
The better teams I’ve been on, the players lead. That’s what we have here.
Caleb Williams, Bears quarterback
In the aftermath of a 1-2 start earlier this season, an offensive captains meeting with the coordinator spurred a three-game win streak. The Bears are hoping a similar return to their player-led ethos will help right the ship as they prepare to host the upstart Arizona Cardinals in a pivotal Week 9 matchup.
Now you really get to see if we can bounce back and really stay together. That’s the biggest thing.
DJ Moore
While airing dirty laundry is never ideal, the Bears are banking on open communication, player empowerment, and steadfast accountability forging a more resilient team. If successful, the loss to the Commanders, as painful as it was, may prove to be a galvanizing moment that sparks a strong second-half surge. The team’s ability to constructively channel frustration into motivation and improvement will be a defining storyline as a promising season hangs in the balance.
