Welcome back to First Take, where the debates are heated and opinions are strong. Today, we dive into some critical topics: the Chicago Bears’ struggles, the Las Vegas Raiders’ woes, and concerns about the Baltimore Ravens.

Bears Struggles: The Chicago Bears have been in a slump, failing to pass 200 yards in consecutive weeks. The loss dropped them to a disappointing 4-10 record. Since Thanksgiving, they’ve been outscored 53-0 in the first half of games. Should the Bears make a bold move and bring in a coach like Kyle Shanahan? Aman suggests they might want to trade for him, but Stephen A. isn’t convinced. While acknowledging Shanahan’s success, Stephen A. argues that Chicago should stay away from him, fearing that giving him full control might not be the right move. Instead, the Bears need to focus on developing their quarterback, Caleb Williams, who needs better support, including an offensive coordinator and offensive line protection. Williams has been sacked 58 times, and it’s clear that his talent is being wasted behind a poor offensive line. Stephen A. stresses that the Bears need to fix these issues before they can truly contend in the NFC North.

Raiders’ Woes: Next, we turn to the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Antonio Pierce spoke after a tough loss to the Falcons, expressing his frustration with the team’s lack of wins but remaining committed to the cause. Stephen A. believes Pierce won’t be with the Raiders for much longer, despite his good intentions. The Raiders are in disarray, with key players like Max Crosby and Davante Adams gone, and without a clear direction at quarterback. Pierce, while a respected figure, may not get the chance to lead a turnaround, especially with the Raiders’ ownership prioritizing big names over stability. Adam Schefter reports that Mark Davis didn’t offer Pierce a vote of confidence at the owner’s meeting, signaling that a change might be imminent.

Ravens Concerns: Lastly, we discuss the Baltimore Ravens. With the Steelers losing to the Eagles, the Ravens now have a legitimate chance to take the AFC North crown. Lamar Jackson is performing at an elite level, recording multiple 30-touchdown seasons. But there’s drama brewing in the locker room. Wide receiver Deontay Johnson, after serving a one-game suspension, reportedly refused to enter the game against the Eagles, leading to a suspension from team activities. Shannon Sharpe doesn’t believe Johnson’s behavior is significant, arguing he’s just “a guy,” and that teams will tolerate these kinds of issues until they find a replacement. Stephen A. finds the situation troubling, noting that walking out on your teammates in the middle of a game is a breach of trust, and such behavior should not be tolerated by the team.

As we look ahead, the Ravens’ leadership will be tested both on and off the field as they fight for the division lead. Meanwhile, both the Bears and Raiders will have to make tough decisions if they hope to find success in the future.