This was not the Bears offense anybody expected to see.
Just because starting quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte were held out, there is no excuse for the unit to perform so poorly. The running game was non-existent and until the second half the passing game was equally abysmal.
That being said, there is no reason to push the panic button. Teams have gone 0-4 in the preseason while looking terrible and then end up having great regular seasons. I covered the Colts and they were notorious for pitiful exhibition play and then consistently delivered 12-win seasons and a Super Bowl.
The offensive line needs to play better, but the same could be said about the first-team defensive line. They couldn't pressure Peyton Manning on the opening Broncos series as he drove them right down the field before he threw an interception.
There were some good signs and those are easier to point out.
Shea McClellin flashed quickness in space and all of the young receivers looked good. The prettiest play in the game was Matt Blanchard's pass to Chris Summers along the Bears sideline. It was a great throw and effort by Summers to go up and get the ball.
Rookie safety Brandon Hardin showed good range when he broke up a deep pass along the Broncos sideline. His fellow rookie corners, Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy, appeared to play well in their debuts. Frey was in the game early and looked confident.
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If there is a change, maybe it will be giving a shot to Chris Williams at left tackle with the first unit. JMarcus Webb doesn't talk like a guy that believes he belongs in the starting group. Other than that, the Bears need to improve in all areas.
Its not time to panic, unless you see the same things in Week 1 versus the Indianapolis Colts.