The Chicago Bears experienced a disappointing response to the franchise’s first in-season coaching change, suffering a significant defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, losing 38-13 on Sunday.
Interim coach Thomas Brown, who took over after Matt Eberflus was fired on November 29, acknowledged the team’s struggles. “We got our butts kicked,” he said after the game. Eberflus was dismissed following a six-game losing streak, marked by poor late-game decisions, including a Thanksgiving loss to Detroit where the Bears failed to attempt a potential game-tying field goal despite having a timeout remaining.
In their matchup against the 49ers (6-7), the Bears (4-9) fell behind early, trailing 24-0 by halftime. Chicago was outgained 319-4 in the first half, a discrepancy that ranks among the largest in the NFL since 1991. The Bears managed just one first down and allowed the Niners to score three touchdowns and a field goal on their first five possessions.
Offensively, the Bears struggled significantly, finishing the game with only 88 yards on 30 drop-backs. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams faced relentless pressure, being sacked seven times and finishing with 134 passing yards, including two late touchdowns to fellow rookie Rome Odunze. Williams also lost a fumble, and his 56 sacks this season are the highest for any Chicago quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
“We got our (butt) kicked today,” Williams admitted. “There’s no way around it. As an offense, defense, special teams, myself, we have to come out and be better.”
Brown noted the challenges of playing from behind, which forced the Bears into more drop-back situations, increasing the risk of sacks. However, the issues extended beyond the offense. The Bears’ defense allowed nine plays of at least 20 yards, the most in a single game for the team in the past nine seasons. They surrendered their highest point total of the season and tied for the second-most yards allowed (452) in any game this year.
“I thought our prep was really good this week,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “We had a solid plan, but we didn’t execute. They made plays, and we didn’t.”
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