Despite the strong finish by the Chicago Bears in the 2023 campaign, the damage was already done and it was not enough to save offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s job, along with others.
The Bears relieved Getsy of his duties on Wednesday, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko was also given his pink slip. The organization has also announced the news of the dismissal of running backs coach Omar Young, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and assistant tight ends coach Tim Zetts.
The firing of Getsy frees up both coordinator positions on head coach Matt Eberflus’ staff. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams abruptly resigned from his possession in Week 4 of the season due to health and family matters. Rapoport reported on Wednesday that while Eberflus is likely to stay on board as the team’s defensive play-caller, he is expected to hire an experienced defensive coordinator to take some of the pressure off, per a source.
Getsy leaves the Windy City after two largely forgettable seasons spent as the offensive coordinator of the Bears, who finished 28th in total offense in 2022, including bringing up the rear in passing, and improved slightly to 20th in total offense in 2023, but still could not find their rhythm in the passing game, ending the campaign ranked 27th in passing.
In what is already promising to be a critical offseason ahead for the Bears, someone in the building was going to have to pay and end up being the scapegoat for the Bears struggles. Eberflus dodged that fate, because of the Bears’ late-season surge on the defensive side of the ball, the acquisition of Montez Sweat and Chicago’s four W’s in its final six games. Plenty of intrigue and speculation remains regarding quarterback Justin Fields’ future, which could be flipped on its head if the Bears choose to select a top quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Embed from Getty ImagesFields went through a lot in 2023 while attempting to manage a predictable, uninspired Getsy offense. The Bears offensive line struggled to keep Fields upright through the first two months of the season, he even missed four games with a broken thumb, while Getsy’s play designs (specifically, early season route combinations) failed to open up pass catchers, especially down field, for Fields to target.
Of course, the lion’s share of the blame and criticism landed at the feet of the signal caller, who was thought of as a passer who could not process information, that held onto the ball too long and could only depend on his elite athleticism. Chicago’s offense was like pulling teeth over this period of time.
However, a light at the end of the tunnel emerged in Washington in Week 5, when Fields carved up the Commanders for 282 yards and four passing touchdowns in a 40-20 rout on Thursday Night Football. Fields showed off the arm talent that saw him selected 11th overall in 2021 out of Ohio State University, added 57 rushing yards in a domination of the Commanders.
Ten days later, he sustained a thumb injury that halted his seeming progression, costing him a month of playing time and sending him on a downward spiral back to square one when he returned.
Fields and Getsy had their highlight reel moments during Chicago’s late-season run, collecting 336 yards of offense in an upset 28-13 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 14, sending the Bears down a path that would see them break 400 yards twice in their final month. But ineffective play against quality opponents in Cleveland and Green Bay reinforced what most already believed to be true about this Bears offense: It was not sustainable entering 2024, not with a massive decision on Fields around the corner.
We will have to wait and see how Getsy’s firing impacts Chicago’s decision-making process regarding Fields in the weeks and months ahead. The Bears have two options. They could trade Fields elsewhere and continue an offensive rebuild with a new top pick under center, most likely Caleb Williams out of USC and a fresh face manning the offensive coordinator position. Or they could blame Fields’ lack of development on Getsy, and give the talented quarterback another year to prove his long-term worth with a new individual in charge of the offense in 2024.
It was made crystal clear Wednesday, though, that the status quo would not be acceptable for Eberflus. The heat is on to find a proper play-calling successor.
