Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is simply as curious as anybody else to see how the San Francisco 49ers use quarterback Trey Lance in Sunday’s season opener between the 2 groups at Soldier Area.
Lance’s time within the preseason was considerably restricted, as he accomplished 11 of 16 passes for 141 yards and a landing in two video games. In six regular-season video games as a rookie in 2021 when he didn’t have the complete playbook, Lance accomplished 41 of 71 passes for 603 yards with 5 touchdowns and two interceptions. He additionally rushed 38 instances for 168 yards and a rating.
So there’s some movie on Lance for the Bears to take a look at, however Eberflus on Monday mentioned he and his employees can even have to hypothesize on how coach Kyle Shanahan will deploy the second-year quarterback.
“You’re projecting a bit bit,” mentioned Eberflus, who was the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 earlier than he turned the Bears’ coach in January. “It's important to mission how they’re going to make use of the younger man and the place they’re going to make use of them of their offense.”
“We actually have an concept of what this offense seems to be like. However how they’re going to make use of him, nobody actually is aware of. It's important to use your guidelines, have your calls and ensure you’re sound.”
Eberflus is clearly conscious of Lance’s mobility and mentioned he’ll have some totally different gamers who can replicate that athleticism, together with third-string quarterback Nate Peterman.
The Bears will definitely look to include Lance and make him throw from the pocket.
“So we’ll have guys in there that might doubtlessly try this for us,” Eberflus mentioned of the scout staff preparation.
Eberflus’ groups in Indianapolis completed within the high 10 within the NFL in scoring protection in three of his 4 years there, and had been additionally among the many league’s finest in takeaways. The Colts had 19 interceptions final season, tied for third-most within the NFL.
How complicated the Bears’ protection might be proper off the hop in Eberflus’ first season is unclear. However he introduced Alan Williams, the Colts’ safeties coach final season, to be his defensive coordinator. Dave Borgonzi (linebackers coach) and James Rowe (cornerbacks) additionally made the transfer from Indianapolis to Chicago.
Richard Hightower is Chicago’s particular groups coordinator, a place he held with the 49ers for the final 5 years. Walnut Creek native Travis Smith, a Cal Poly alum, is the defensive position coach and joined the employees this 12 months after 10 years with the Raiders.
The Bears’ protection has been revamped in areas and may have rookies Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon within the secondary. Linebacker Roquan Smith, enjoying within the last 12 months of his rookie contract, was fifth within the NFL final season with 163 tackles.
The rebuilding Bears, per Eberflus, needs to be principally wholesome for the opener. Per studies, defensive finish Dominique Robinson was the one participant who was held out of Monday’s temporary follow.
“We’re in a great place. We really feel good the place we're,” Eberflus mentioned. “We’ve put numerous exhausting work in, we’re progressing, getting higher each single week and we like the place we're proper now.”