Do you believe in football karma?
How about in the belief that the football gods can get offended and stay offended?
Too unsophisticated? Fine. Let’s go with the idea that there’s a price to pay when an NFL coach makes a mockery of discipline. How did Bears coach Matt Eberflus “punish” cornerback Tyrique Stevenson for his unforgivable antics in the heartbreaking loss last week to the Commanders?
By benching him for only two defensive series in the first quarter of the Bears’ 29-9 loss to the Cardinals. Kids, this is the parent you want answering the phone when the principal calls.
In effect, Eberflus’ message to Stevenson, the team and Bears fans was an emphatic, “Oh, well.’’ Unless it was a categorical, “These things happen.’’ Or a resounding, “Mistakes were made.’’ If not a definitive, “Can’t we just move on?’’
Except there was no moving on. Sunday made sure of that. Eberflus’ team looked sloppy and undisciplined in the loss to Arizona, and it doesn’t take much sleuthing to deduce that Eberflus’ refusal to handle the Stevenson matter firmly and head-on played a role in a lethargic effort.
Eberflus should have cut Stevenson right after last week’s national disgrace. You might recall — the way you might recall having kidney stones — that Stevenson spent precious seconds taunting Washington fans and ignoring the snap of the football in the waning moments of the game, allowing Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels to heave a Hail Mary pass that landed in the hands of Noah Brown, who was all alone in the end zone. Ballgame. It was as egregious an example of selfishness by a player as you’ll ever see.
It was an embarrassment to the franchise, and it should have been an embarrassment to Eberflus. No matter how good Stevenson is, his presence is more damaging to the team than his absence would be. But Eberflus doesn’t get that, which is rich. Remember, he’s the guy who, upon arrival in Chicago, boasted of his H.I.T.S. principle — Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways and (playing) Smart. He doesn’t practice the coach-speak he preaches.
He spent last week deflecting questions about Stevenson’s status, apparently because he thought the matter should remain in-house. Nothing about Stevenson’s foolishness in Washington was private, so why was the punishment? Possibly because Eberflus’ principles aren’t very principled.
“[Stevenson] put his best foot forward,’’ Eberflus said after the loss to the Cardinals. “And his teammates and his coaches and all of us in that circle got his back.’’
There was indeed a price to pay in this game, and it took the form of the Cardinals running the ball down the Bears’ throat. That speaks of a team lacking toughness, which is a direct reflection on Eberflus. So are the six penalties the Bears picked up. Gervon Dexter was called for a leverage penalty on a 32-yard field-goal attempt by Arizona in the second quarter, giving the Cardinals a first down. It might have been a ticky-tack call, but, still, it doesn’t happen to a disciplined team. The Cardinals went on to score a touchdown.
A disciplined defense doesn’t allow a 53-yard touchdown run on a third-down play in the last ticks of the first half. That’s what the Bears’ defense did.
“I can make a better call,’’ Eberflus said. “That’s on me.’’
There was only one question before this game: Would Stevenson’s inanity against the Commanders have a carryover effect against the Cardinals? The answer was on full, ugly display.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams seemed to be under constant pressure, thanks to a serious shortage of blocking. The Cardinals sacked him six times. That surely had something to do with his inaccuracy (22-for-41). Given the onslaught of defenders, he shouldn’t have been playing late in the fourth quarter, when he hurt his ankle.
There’s no doubt Williams has regressed the last few weeks. He continues to hold on to the ball too long.
All of this raises the question of whether Eberflus should keep his job. The answer isn’t simple. Can the Bears continue to spin their coaching turnstile, especially with Williams in such a key developmental stage? Can the Bears afford not to make a coaching change with Williams in such a key developmental stage?
“We’ve got to take an inward look,’’ Eberflus said. “Everybody.’’
Including ownership.
Don’t look at Stevenson’s knuckleheaded play last week as an isolated incident. It’s a symptom, one that might have revealed what kind of operation the coach is running. Not every coach has to be a fire-breathing disciplinarian, but Eberflus seems to be every bit the aw-shucks, don’t-make-waves leader he appears to be on the Bears’ sideline. It’s not working.
The Bears are 4-4 and about to enter the difficult part of their schedule. Is “uh-oh’’ considered one word or two?