Bears face Lambeau test: turning productive drives into touchdowns

Tyson Bagent regretted a completion on a drive that ended in a touchdown: Larry Mayer reported for chicagobears.com that Bagent singled out Luther Burden III crossing the middle against the Jets as an opportunity he missed. Bagent instead completed a six-yard pass to Cole Kmet, with Burden open about 15 yards farther downfield. The official NFL gamebook records a first down on the catch and a subsequent 15-yard face-mask penalty. That possession ended with Kyle Monangai’s five-yard touchdown run.

Chicago now visits Green Bay at Lambeau Field on October 11 for a noon CT kickoff. A third straight victory would put the Bears at 4-1. Against New York, Chicago collected 34 first downs while the Jets ran 32 plays. Yet the Bears scored touchdowns on only two of seven possessions inside the 20. Possession dominance leaves a separate scoring question, and even a successful finish can conceal an opportunity to make the drive easier.

A completion worth reconsidering

In Chicago Bears media availability, Bagent acknowledged being “a little quick to get down to the checkdown.” His proposed correction was to trust his feet and the timing of each installed play, then deliver without hesitation.

The distinction matters against coverage that can change after the snap. Waiting for the intended opportunity and recognizing when it has disappeared demand different decisions. Greater ambition alone cannot resolve both.

Mayer reported that Bagent changed two plays at the line against New York, producing completions of 21 yards to Rome Odunze and 22 yards to Burden. Bagent credited accumulated repetitions and the answers his coaches supplied, describing timely execution of their teaching as the basis for those opportunities.

In Mayer’s reporting for chicagobears.com, offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised the huddle operation and communication that allowed Chicago to shift, motion and reach its audible system. Taylor also credited the passing game with keeping the offense in third-and-6 or less. Those assessments locate the value of efficient operation before the finish: it preserves choices rather than forcing a difficult conversion.

Green Bay presents a different recognition test. Taylor described its safeties and nickel as versatile defenders who disguise and rotate coverage. He said those players work in the box, deep in the post and in half-field coverage. Taylor also endorsed underneath completions when a called shot meets defenders deep downfield.

That leaves Bagent’s correction dependent on timing and recognition, rather than a blanket preference for the longer throw. In his Bears availability, he said Chicago was practicing silent cadence, emphasizing loud communication under center and coordinated attention in shotgun. The operation must give the read room to develop.

Bagent will start in Green Bay, while Caleb Williams remains questionable. Williams returned to limited practice after his hamstring injury.

Finishing belongs to the whole offense

Chicago has scored four touchdowns on its last 15 red-zone possessions. In Chicago Bears media availability, head coach Ben Johnson said the staff had emphasized finishing drives before the Jets game and acknowledged that the ensuing performance showed the problem remained unresolved.

Johnson rejected there being “just one easy solution,” explaining that different failures had emerged each week. He called for sustained focus through long drives, clear and sound calls, and execution on the field. His diagnosis distributes responsibility across the possession rather than locating it in one regretted decision.

Taylor’s review reaches the play menu itself. Mayer reported his concern about excessive red-zone inventory, unexpected defensive looks and what Chicago’s tendencies reveal to opponents.

Asked about low-red-area execution in Chicago Bears media availability, Burden said “everything need to get cleaned up,” placing the work on coaches and players together. Elsewhere in that recording, he described making plays and blocking as his responsibilities regardless of who played quarterback. That broader assignment makes the receiving group part of the finishing work even when the ball stays on the ground.

The backfield must carry that work without Monangai, ruled out with a toe injury. He rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries against New York. D’Andre Swift has no game injury designation after hip and knee issues. Roschon Johnson moves to No. 2 on the depth chart.

Roschon’s season sample consists of four carries for 16 yards, all in the fourth quarter against the Jets. In Mayer’s injury reporting, Ben Johnson praised his immediate north-south running after planting his foot. Reaching a crease without first avoiding penetration would give that direct running a chance to preserve manageable downs. Johnson separately praised Roschon’s receiving and tied his size to value in pass protection. Protection could also give Bagent time to complete the read he wants.

Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright are available without game injury designations. Green Bay’s Micah Parsons remains on PUP, and Edgerrin Cooper is out for the season.

Distance must disrupt Love

The defensive matchup asks a separate question: whether unfavorable distance can also disturb Jordan Love’s timing.

Mike Spofford reported for packers.com that Green Bay needed six or more yards on 30 of its 46 third downs, including double-digit yardage on 16. He identified early-down penalties as a reason for those difficult distances. Green Bay also ranks last in rushing at 58.0 yards per game.

Chicago’s last three opponents converted a combined 17.2% of their third downs, with the Jets going 0-for-7. In Mayer’s defensive reporting, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen credited players’ understanding and execution, with assistants establishing what each call required.

Allen assessed Love as among the league’s best when a clean pocket allows throws with rhythm and timing. Love has taken one sack over his last two games after seven in the first two. Montez Sweat will face Anthony Belton with Zach Bako-Bewele out for the season. Aaron Banks is doubtful. Chicago’s latest roster announcement lists Kyler Gordon and Shemar Turner out. Long yardage becomes more useful when pressure denies comfortable delivery.

Back on offense, Roschon’s 11-yard carry against New York created first-and-goal at the 4, according to the gamebook. A no-gain carry, Monangai’s three-yard gain and his subsequent two-yard loss led to a 21-yard field goal. At Lambeau, the measurable test is what follows productive gains: whether they yield touchdowns. Bagent’s regretted throw already belonged to a touchdown possession; Roschon’s carry put Chicago at the 4 with the finish still ahead.

Related reading

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• Bears Visit Packers With Run Game Tested by Monangai's Absence
• Packers Place Chris Brooks on IR Ahead of Bears Matchup