Bears Struggle with Offense as Preseason Finale Highlights Issues

The Chicago Bears showcased ongoing challenges in their offensive operations during the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on March 15, 2024. Despite having the entire offseason and preseason to refine their play execution, the team struggled with basic tasks such as snapping the ball and executing handoffs. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle expressed frustration over the numerous penalties and mistakes that plagued the performance, including delay of game violations and a botched handoff.

Doyle pointed to the first snap of the game, which resulted in a delay that led to the ball ending up on the ground. “Any time it’s on the ground, it’s unacceptable,” he stated. Doyle emphasized that starting the game with such a negative play puts the team in a challenging situation, making it imperative for the players to improve their ball-handling skills.

Quarterback Caleb Williams has faced criticism for the team’s struggles. Doyle noted that the timing of plays has been an issue, with Williams sometimes taking too long to get the call to the line. This delay was evident when backup quarterback Tyson Bagent attempted to adjust the play based on the defensive alignment, but ran out of time, resulting in another delay of game penalty.

“It’s play-to-play specific,” Doyle explained, acknowledging that there isn’t a single factor hindering the team’s performance. He stressed the importance of speeding up the presnap process, which includes getting the quarterbacks and receivers ready to execute plays efficiently.

While some teams utilize wristbands with plays to streamline communication, the Bears have chosen a different approach. Doyle believes that allowing quarterbacks to visualize plays mentally is more effective. “Each quarterback is different,” he said, recalling a similar philosophy from his previous experiences. He emphasized that players should be able to envision plays rather than simply reading them from a wristband, which can slow down processing time.

Tight end Cole Kmet echoed Doyle’s sentiments, asserting that the team must improve their execution from the start of the game. “If there was one thing I could peg it on, I would have told everybody in the locker room. We would have fixed it already,” Kmet remarked. He highlighted the significance of pre-snap identification, cadence, and overall readiness as critical components for success.

As the Bears prepare for the regular season, they face the urgent task of refining their offensive strategy and execution. The players are aware that improvement takes time and requires diligent effort to grasp the intricacies of the offense. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for the Bears as they aim to address these issues and enter the regular season with a more cohesive and effective offensive unit.