Chicago Bears: Grades for each unit as they enter the bye week

After a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, the Chicago Bears limp into the bye week. Here are grades for their performance in the first half of the season.

The Chicago Bears suffered a tough-luck loss in Week 9 on Monday Night Football. They made a valiant comeback and had the lead briefly, but they ended up losing 29-27,

The loss was the Bears’ fourth in a row. They limp into their bye week with a 3-6 record. Any hope of another playoff berth is now on life support. They have to regroup and hope for a big improvement during their final eight games of the season.

The hopes for the 2021 Chicago Bears were up and down. Some (not many) people thought this team could win 10 games and sneak into the playoffs. A great many others, however, feel that the team is right on schedule to their expectations. Many of them predicted two to six wins this season.

Chicago Bears: Grades for each unit as they enter the bye week

The Bears found themselves dealing with a quarterback controversy. They drafted Justin Fields and felt they finally found their franchise quarterback. Head coach Matt Nagy wanted the future to start later, though.

He insisted on having their veteran free-agent signee, Andy Dalton, be the starter. His job was on the line so he weighed victories more than the development of the rookie. Ultimately, however, he relented, and Fields is the starter for good.

The defense has had its ups and downs. They look good one week, then struggle mightily the next. If the Bears hope to make any noise in the second half, that has to change.

Here, now, are the grades for the 2021 Chicago Bears at the midway point of the season.