When the Chicago Bears return to the team facilities later today, things will undoubtedly be different for the entire team.
Following the team's recent loss on Thursday against the Detroit Lions, the organization decided to part ways with head coach Matt Eberflus and promoted offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to interim head coach.
Monday will be the first day the players return to the facility following the decision to make the change to the coaching staff. And it's going to be a major change for the entire team.
For the offense, Brown will now have a heavier load this week taking on the role as head coach and not just offensive coordinator, a role he already had to inherit less than a month ago. On defense, the expectation is that defensive coordinator Eric Washington will take over play-calling duties, a role previously held by Eberflus.
Washington hasn't served as a primary defensive play-caller since the 2018 season while serving as the defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers. However, Washington has plenty of defensive experience and has already shown he can handle the defensive line effectively.
When he takes on his new role starting this week, he'll at least have once less thing to worry about before going up against the San Francisco 49ers.
During the 49ers' Sunday night loss to the Buffalo Bills, the 49ers' offense lost more than yet another game. Star running back Christian McCaffrey went down during the first half and left the game with a knee injury. Following the game, it was revealed that McCaffrey suffered a potential season-ending PCL injury to his knee.
The injury will certainly knock McCaffrey out of Sunday's matchup against the Bears and the unit will instead turn their attention to running backs Jordan Mason and rookie Isaac Guerendo.
Over the last few weeks, the Bears' defense has been gassed early in matchups against opposing rushing offense. On Thursday against the Lions for example, the Bears allowed 144 rushing yards in the first half alone.
Not having to prepare and gameplan for a player like McCaffrey will certainly help take some pressure off the Bears' run defense on Sunday, but don't overlook Mason's impact in this game. During the first eight games without McCaffrey this season, Mason averaged 85.6 rushing yards per game and 5.11 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns.
This 49ers' offense still has the ability to play like a top unit in football, even if they've looked like a shell of their former self so far in 2024. The Bears should plan accordingly.
