The heads hung a little lower, the hugs lasted a little longer. For a game supposedly bereft of meaning, the finality of Sunday’s 31-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs affected the Bears in a profound way.
As players dressed amid hushed tones in a somber locker room, there was a palpable sense of loss–and not just a football game.
“It was a disappointing game, obviously,” coach Dick Jauron said.
It ended a disappointing 7-9 year, the Bears’ seventh losing season in the last eight. Four of those have come on Jauron’s watch, which is why when the Bears report to Halas Hall for their final team meeting Monday morning, many veterans expect Jauron to be fired.
One player said he wanted to withhold comment until after Jauron “was gone Monday.” Another just shook his head when asked if he thought there was any chance Jauron would return.
Two sources close to the team warned to be careful speculating about Jauron’s future unless the source of the information was General Manager Jerry Angelo or team President Ted Phillips. Asked if he expected to return, Jauron indirectly referred to an announcement the Bears said Angelo expects to make Monday.
“We’ll find that out pretty quickly,” Jauron said. “I have no idea.”
A team source said Sunday night that Angelo and Jauron had not yet met to discuss the situation.
Several people close to Jauron have said in the last week that he will be “devastated” if he loses his job. But after what likely was his final game representing the Bears, Jauron displayed the civility and poise that has defined his tenure and only opened a window to his emotions a crack.
Jauron spoke glowingly of the franchise he has represented since 1999–first in the past tense before changing to the present.
“I’ve loved being here,” Jauron began. “I love being here. It’s a great franchise. It is the charter franchise, and it’s a great city to coach in and, most of all, a terrific group of guys.”
The Bears made a Chiefs defense–which only a week earlier had given up 45 points and 469 yards against the Vikings–look like the Steel Curtain. The Bears abandoned the running game in the first half, throwing 19 passes to 10 runs, and never developed consistency passing after rookie starting quarterback Rex Grossman left with a finger injury. The Bears converted only 2-of-15 third downs.
It was a bad end to a bad year.
– – –
On the hot seat
Coach 2003 TOTAL
Dick Jauron, Bears 7-9 35-46
Bill Callahan, Oakland 4-12 17-18
Dave Wannstedt, Miami 10-6 42-25
Dave McGinnis, Arizona 4-12 17-40
Gregg Williams, Buffalo 6-10 17-31
Already gone
COACH 2003 TOTAL
Dan Reeves, Atlanta 3-11 52-62-1
Jim Fassel, N.Y. Giants 4-12 60-56-1
