The Bears are on the verge of missing out on a golden offseason opportunity
CHICAGO – This is a very important offseason for Matt Eberflus and the Bears. There are still a lot of questions surrounding the team, so Eberflus needs the most accurate evaluation he can get in 2022. That's because the correct decisions will maximize results as efficiently as possible, which then leads to more wins in […]
CHICAGO – This is a very important offseason for Matt Eberflus and the Bears. There are still a lot of questions surrounding the team, so Eberflus needs the most accurate evaluation he can get in 2022. That's because the correct decisions will maximize results as efficiently as possible, which then leads to more wins in the future.
And he can't do that without accurate evaluation(s), obviously.
A recent method of evaluation that's not only very effective, but very popular, is joint practices during training camp. Teams will fly out (or host) to practice against another team for a week and then they'll play against each other in a preseason game.
It's a great chance to break the monotony of competing against the same guys and it's obviously a great evaluation period for the coaching staff. Not only does the coaching staff get to see how their team stacks up against another during an early part of the season, but they also get to see how their guys compete with and respond to legit NFL competition.
The Bears have two really good opportunities in the Chiefs and Browns and a decent opportunity in the Seahawks this year; however, it doesn't sound like Chicago is going to get a chance to take advantage of any of those opportunities. Which would be unfortunate, if so.
"I don't think we are," Matt Eberflus said Tuesday when asked if the Bears will scrimmage one of the three aforementioned preseason opponents. "I'm in a conversation with one of them right now and that might come up. I'm not going to say their name, but we could potentially do one. But, I don't foresee it happening, right now."
The team that makes the most sense is the Browns. Teams usually don't hold joint practices the first week of camp, which should rule out the Chiefs. Seattle should get ruled out when considering that game is on a Thursday night. It would be a major stress and logistical nightmare to play on a Saturday night then travel out to play a preseason game -of all games- five days later.
Cleveland is about an hour and a half flight from Chicago. The Bears will have a few extra days to rest before taking on the short flight. They'd be in the air for probably, oh, about 30-45 minutes, which isn't a big deal at all, obviously. The trip won't add a ton of stress logistics-wise and the Bears get a chance to compete against one of the NFL's best rosters in the Browns. Plus, the third and final game is more or less considered to be a dress rehearsal for the starters. Meaning, the Bears get to go up against Cleveland's 1s, which represents a golden opportunity for evaluation.
At the same time, Eberflus is going to get 18 weeks worth of evaluation in 2022. And, he already has a ton to figure out when it comes to his own team and roster. So, it may not hurt too much to be strictly Bears-minded in 2022 and then see how they fare during the regular season.
However, there's certainly more to gain than there is to lose when it comes to joint practices. It'll be interesting to see if Eberflus gets things figured out in time.
You can watch Eberflus' full presser, below:
Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK
