Both the Bears and the Seahawks are out of playoff contention. Amidst all of the COVID issues facing the league, it may seem pointless to even play this game, but hopefully, I can convince you it may be worth your time.
Let’s Start With COVID
Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm to have to discuss COVID reserve lists at all times. Let’s just be thankful there is still football being played.
The Bears placed DL Akiem Hicks on the COVID reserve list on Thursday and he has very little likelihood of suiting up on Sunday against the Seahawks. This is demoralizing considering how clutch he was last week against the Vikings. Granted, it never looked like the Bears were actually going to win, but he had two sacks and is always a key cog in the Bears’ rush defense. If the Bears have any pride this season, it is how they continually represent themselves quite well on defense. Even with all of their starting secondary players out last week, they held Kirk Cousins and the Vikings to just 17 points.
Here is the full list of Bears’ players currently on COVID reserve: DT Akiem Hicks (Dec. 23), TE Jesper Horsted (Dec. 21), DE Bilal Nichols (Dec. 21), DB Tashaun Gipson (Dec. 19), DB Jaylon Johnson (Dec. 19), TE Jesse James (Dec. 16), LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (Dec. 16), WR Allen Robinson II (Dec. 16), RB Ryan Nall (Dec. 16). You can see the dates in parentheses of when each player was put on the list, and the ones who have carried over from last week have a chance of playing.
Robert Quinn
I said at the beginning of this article that I would try to convince you why it’s a game worth watching. Reason number one is Bears’ DE Robert Quinn. Quinn has been a bright spot for the Bears and has 16 sacks on the year. He needs just 1.5 more to tie Bears’ legend Richard Dent for the team’s single-season record. He should be confident going up against a Seahawks O-line that has allowed Russell Wilson to be sacked 29 times this season.
Though it is not just about the numbers. Quinn represents the pride of defense in Chicago. The Bears have not earned a lot of respect offensively this year, but their defense has been respectable. Robert Quinn has led this team with his consistent play. His consistent play earned him November’s Defensive Player of the Month award, and the Seahawks should be wary of his presence.
Matt Nagy Memories?
Another reason to watch is for posterity’s sake. The worst-kept secret in the NFL this season is the high temperature on HC Matt Nagy’s seat. At this point, it seems unlikely the Bears would fire him before the season ends, but it seems equally unlikely he’ll be on the sideline for the Bears next season.
So as we watch the Bears take on the Seahawks, let’s watch with a lens of nostalgia. Matt Nagy started his Bears’ tenure with promise. He went 12-4 in his first season with the club, and a young Mitchell Trubisky threw for over 3000 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Bears won the NFC North but lost to the Eagles in the wild card round. Matt Nagy’s encore would be an 8-8 season, followed by another 8-8 season, and this season sees the trend worsen.
As we watch the game against the Seahawks, let’s watch with a longing for what could have been. After all, only one team wins the Super Bowl each year, and the Bears fans are not the only fans that must resign themselves to a season of sadness.
So Watch We Will, Because We Love Football
From here on out, we are watching for the future, for our routines, and simply because we love football. We will watch to see if Justin Fields can spark some optimism for the future. We’ll watch because of Robert Quinn. And we’ll watch to see if the Bears can develop a pattern of winning against the Seahawks.
I do believe that good franchises create a culture of winning. It may be more exciting to land a higher draft pick, but the storied franchises create an atmosphere where winning is expected. Regardless of who is coaching next year, the Bears need to try and build some momentum. They need to win against the Seahawks, Giants, and Vikings, to reestablish their credibility as a team to be reckoned with next season.
One final note: Justin Fields was a limited participant at practice on Thursday, and his availability against the Seahawks is in question. Andy Dalton has returned from the COVID reserve list and would start in his place if need be.
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