The Chicago Bears are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, but their recent lack of success has overshadowed much of their rich tradition. Since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2006, the Bears have struggled to find sustained success, and much of the blame for their inability to return to prominence falls on coaching decisions. While the Bears have had flashes of brilliance, the franchise has often found itself in a cycle of missed opportunities, inconsistent coaching hires, and poor decision-making that has stifled its growth.
As we look back at some of the most significant missed coaching opportunities in Chicago Bears history, it becomes clear that several crucial moments were either mishandled or outright wasted by the coaching staff. Below, we rank the biggest missed coaching opportunities in the Bears’ history, examining how they impacted the franchise’s chances for success.
### 5. **The 2000 Season and the Hiring of Dick Jauron**
The turn of the century marked a pivotal moment for the Chicago Bears. After a lackluster 1999 season, the Bears decided to part ways with head coach Jim Flanery, looking for new leadership to usher in the new millennium. Enter Dick Jauron, who was brought in from the Philadelphia Eagles to lead the franchise.
Jauron’s tenure as head coach of the Bears was defined by mediocrity, despite inheriting a team with a solid defense led by future Hall of Famer Mike Singletary. In 2000, the Bears finished with a disappointing 5-11 record, and the team struggled to develop a dynamic offense under Jauron. Though Jauron had success as a defensive coordinator, his lack of offensive acumen became evident, and the Bears wasted several seasons of prime defensive play with little to show for it.
The biggest missed opportunity here was the failure to capitalize on a defense that was still capable of competing. While Jauron’s defense wasn’t as dominant as the one under Buddy Ryan in the late ‘80s, it was still solid. Instead of nurturing an offense that could take advantage of these opportunities, Jauron failed to develop a competent quarterback, and the Bears were left in limbo. Ultimately, Jauron was fired after four seasons, and while his time with the team didn’t completely derail their future, the Bears missed a key opportunity to build a contender.
### 4. **The 2010 NFC Championship Game: Lovie Smith’s Playcalling Failures**
Lovie Smith is one of the most beloved coaches in Chicago Bears history, but his tenure was not without significant missed opportunities. One of the most glaring came during the 2010 NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears entered the NFC Championship Game with a chance to advance to the Super Bowl, having finished the regular season 11-5 under Smith’s leadership. The defense, led by future Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, was one of the best in the league, and quarterback Jay Cutler had finally shown signs of life in an otherwise inconsistent career. However, the game was marred by a series of questionable coaching decisions, with Smith’s playcalling often coming into question.
The most notable missed opportunity came in the second half when Jay Cutler was forced to leave the game due to a knee injury. While backup quarterback Caleb Hanie did admirably under the circumstances, Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Martz failed to adjust their game plan in a way that allowed Hanie to succeed. They continued to rely on a vertical passing attack, which was not conducive to Hanie’s skill set. This lack of adjustment ultimately cost the Bears a chance to compete in the game and left them without an answer for Green Bay’s defense.
Had Smith been more flexible and adjusted to the circumstances, especially after Cutler’s injury, the Bears might have been able to keep the game closer and possibly earn a Super Bowl berth. The loss to Green Bay became one of the most painful in Bears history, and many believe it was a coaching failure as much as a player failure.
### 3. **The Quarterback Carousel Under Marc Trestman (2013-2014)**
The Bears entered the 2013 season with high hopes after hiring Marc Trestman, a former Canadian Football League (CFL) coach, to revive an offense that had long been stagnant. Trestman was lauded for his offensive mind, having turned around several offenses in the CFL, and the Bears hoped he could bring an air raid system that would complement their solid defense.
However, Trestman’s tenure quickly spiraled downward, and the biggest missed opportunity was his failure to properly handle the quarterback position. After a promising 2013 season in which the Bears finished 8-8, the coaching staff failed to address the team’s biggest weakness—quarterback play. Jay Cutler, while talented, had never fully embraced consistency, and Trestman was unable to develop him into a more reliable signal-caller.
The Bears went through a quarterback carousel in 2014, with Cutler and backup Jimmy Clausen alternating in and out of the starting role. This uncertainty led to a lack of continuity, and the offense never fully gelled. Trestman’s inability to develop a clear starting quarterback and put together a system that played to Cutler’s strengths was a major missed opportunity for a team that had the offensive weapons to compete at a high level.
The failure to stabilize the quarterback position ultimately cost Trestman his job after just two seasons. This coaching misstep wasted a talented roster and set the team back in their search for long-term success.
### 2. **The 2018 Playoff Loss to the Eagles: Matt Nagy’s Overthought Game Plan**
Matt Nagy’s first season as head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2018 was nothing short of a revelation. The Bears finished with a 12-4 record, claiming the NFC North title for the first time since 2010, and their defense was among the league’s best. Nagy’s innovative offense, built around quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, was an exciting addition to the team. However, in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Nagy made a series of critical mistakes that cost the Bears their chance at advancing.
The most glaring missed opportunity in this game was Nagy’s failure to adjust his game plan when things weren’t going well. After a strong first half, the Bears’ offense stagnated, and they struggled to move the ball in the second half. Nagy, who had been praised for his creativity throughout the season, became too conservative and predictable in the second half. The Eagles, led by Nick Foles, eventually took the lead, and despite a last-second field goal attempt by Cody Parkey, the Bears lost in agonizing fashion, 16-15.
While the missed field goal by Parkey is often blamed for the loss, it was Nagy’s inability to keep his offense moving in the second half that put his team in a position where the game came down to a field goal at all. Had Nagy made the necessary adjustments, particularly with his playcalling, the Bears might have had a shot at advancing further in the playoffs, and their trajectory as a team could have been much different.
### 1. **The 2006 Super Bowl: Lovie Smith’s Inability to Adapt**
Lovie Smith’s 2006 Bears were one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL, with a dominant defense, solid special teams, and a balanced offense led by quarterback Rex Grossman. After a strong regular season, the Bears made it all the way to Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts. However, it was in this game where Smith’s biggest coaching opportunity was squandered.
The Bears jumped out to an early 14-6 lead, but Smith’s inability to adjust to the Colts’ offense in the second half was ultimately their undoing. The defense, which had been one of the league’s best throughout the season, was outplayed by Peyton Manning’s Colts in the second half. Smith also failed to make effective adjustments on offense, continuing to rely on Grossman, whose mistakes (including a costly interception) compounded the team’s struggles.
The loss in Super Bowl XLI was a culmination of missed opportunities, both in terms of game planning and in-game adjustments. The Bears’ defense could not stop Manning in the second half, and the offense failed to capitalize on its early success. Had Smith been able to adjust better, the Bears might have been able to secure their first Super Bowl win in 20 years.
### Conclusion: A History of Missed Opportunities
The Chicago Bears have had their share of coaching missteps that have cost them dearly over the years. From mishandling quarterback development to failing to adjust in crucial playoff games, the Bears’ coaching staff has often left fans wondering “what could have been.” Whether it was Dick Jauron’s mediocrity, Lovie Smith’s missed in-game adjustments, Marc Trestman’s quarterback issues, or Matt Nagy’s overcomplicated strategies, these coaching failures have all contributed to a frustrating era for a team with so much potential. Until the Bears can find consistency in their coaching staff, these missed opportunities will continue to haunt the franchise.
