Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears are into the playoffs with a winning record for the first time since 2018. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear, heading into the final game of the regular season (against his former team and divisional opponent Detroit), that Chicago intends to play to win the game. However, not everyone agrees with the idea of playing all of the starters and exposing key players to injury heading into the playoffs. With that in mind, we gathered the opinions of several contributors on two key questions.
First, do you want the Bears to rest starters against Detroit?
Second, if the Bears were to rest players, what criteria would you use for deciding who to sit?
Gary:
1.) Absolutely not. The #2 seed is still on the table, and hosting the Packers at home (who you’ve already beaten at home) is worlds better than someone from the NFC West right now.
2.) Any rest should come with the Bears being up 4 scores in the 4th Quarter.
Lester:
1.) No, players who are 100% or as close to it as can be expected need to play because the 2 seed is a big deal. You want home field for as long as possible.
2.) That said, I have no problem sitting a guy like Rome Odunze one more week. Also, if some players are still fighting that illness that made its way through Halas Hall, send them home with some green tea and orange juice.
Sam:
1.) Definitely not. There is a lot to play for, and it is very important for Chicago and the playoff picture at large.
2.) Rest guys who aren’t close to 100 percent. If it’s a “he’d play if it were do or die, but not if the team was eliminated” then sit him. You need those guys when it is actually do-or-die.
Mongo Peanut:
1). After thinking it over the last few days, I don’t think they should. The Bears are playing with house money and should play hard every chance they get. Earning more home games is important, as is beating a rival to close out the season. There is still plenty to work on to prepare for the postseason.
2). If someone is a game time decision, no need to push it. Don’t want a Kyler or Rome pregame injury. If they aren’t at risk of re-aggregating an injury, then play the full game.
Josh:
1.) I want the team to rest players who actively need time to heal. That’s it. The Bears haven’t gotten back into the playoffs by being timid.
2). Much like Mongo, I think that players should sit if they would otherwise be a gametime decision.
Those are our opinions. What do you think? Tell us below.
