Former Bears player launches a social media tirade criticizing ownership.
The Bears lost their game against the Lions on Sunday despite leading by two scores late in the contest. Martellus Bennett, a former player for the Bears, criticized the organization’s outdated methods of operation on Twitter (X) after it collapsed.
Bennett examined their absence of linguistic safeguards for their coaching staff and athletes as well. He implied that the coaching staff’s failure to adjust to Justin Fields’ playing style is a reflection of their ego. Additionally, he praised Chicago for being among the top destinations to play in.
The thread includes eight Tweets. They’re well-written and expert in the way Bennett analyzes the organization. He played for the Bears for three seasons between 2013-15. In that span, the Bears went 19-29 between head coaches Marc Trestman and John Fox.
Bennett’s biggest point is this: the Bears are clinging to their mantra of being a defense-first, nitty-gritty team that represents the hard-working people of Chicago. They’ve graduated the likes of some all-time great defensive players, including Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Brian Urlacher, etc.
Year after year, they opt for leaders with a “knack” for finding, developing and practicing defense-first football. Most recently, that’s Matt Eberflus and his defensive cohort from the Indianapolis Colts.
To Bennett’s point, it’s not working. And it contradicts the modern state of the NFL.
It’s a quarterback, offensive-heavy driven league. Sure, you won’t get by in the playoffs without a strong defense to back up the offense. But the guys who put up the points are critical.
It’s Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, etc. who are bound to contend for championships. It’s minds like Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan and Nick Sirianni who will prevail. If you stack your chips on the defensive, run-heavy side of the ball, you’ll lose.
The Bears use nostalgia to appeal to what Bennett characterizes as their “legacy audience.” It’s the same audience that witnessed the 1985 Bears, or the early 2000s Bears and their coveted defenses. Again, to Bennett’s point, nostalgia is a great marketing tool. The Bears abuse it.
That nostalgia comes back in the form of the Roquan Smiths and soon-to-be Tremaine Edmunds. It’s a recipe the Bears have held a tight grip on since the beginning of their venerable franchise in 1920.
If my math is right, the Bears are 82-105 since George McCaskey became the team’s chairman. That’s embarrassing for one of the most illustrious teams in one of the biggest cities in the league. Bennett is right—the fans should have better. Better is due to the city.
However, it won’t occur unless the Bears completely overhaul their mindset.
