The Bears’ 5-3 record at the halfway point of the season is tied for their best record after eight games in the last eight seasons.
Yet there’s more doubt than hope, more trepidation than anticipation and more angst than confidence about Chicago’s most-beloved team these days. There’s something about potentially starting four back-up offensive linemen against the Titans on Sunday that appears to be a little unnerving.
And there’s a better reason: Even before their offensive line was shattered by injuries and COVID-related issues, the Bears haven’t passed the eye test.
In an anticipated tell-tale third season under Matt Nagy, the Bears, even at 5-3, look much closer to the 8-8 disappointment of 2019 than the 12-4 NFC North champions of 2018.