Marc Trestman says no changes coming to Bears coaching staff ‘at this time’

Trestman and his coaching staff have come under fire in 2014 for the 3-6 team’s sputtering offense and lackadaisical defensive effort. He understands as much, calling the past three weeks “a very disturbing stretch” and acknowledging that he knows why fans are upset. He also demanded better play both from starting quarterback Jay Cutler, who has thrown 10 interceptions this year and four over Chicago’s last three games, and from the entire team. “He’s got to play better,” Trestman repeated several times. “Just like the rest of us.” Cutler was also called out by Bears GM Phil Emery last month.

Despite the fans calling for change, Trestman was less critical of defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and the defensive coaching staff, saying, “Right now I stand by these guys and I really believe in them.” Trestman later called the assistants “great teachers” and highlighted their experience, communication skills and work during practice.

Still, practice habits won’t save Tucker and the assistants’ jobs forever if the team doesn’t improve. As Trestman acknowledged, the Bears, having lost three straight and five of their last six games, are “not a good football team right now.” Their latest defeat, a 41-point loss to the arch-rival Packers, was the second time in as many games that Chicago’s defense yielded over 50 points, a “feat” last accomplished by the Rochester Jeffersons in 1923.