It’s been eight months since Bears’ starters last played in a live football game.
For fans, it’s certainly seemed like an eternity, especially considering the product on the field. But the wait been just as, if not more, agonizing for the players.
“I feel like it’s been forever, seeing that we haven’t played in any preseason games either,” said running back Tarik Cohen, via ChicagoBears.com. “We haven’t had any on Soldier Field action or on anybody else’s field action.”
But Chicago won’t have to wait much longer to kick-off what’s gearing up to be an exciting season of Bears football. The Bears host the Packers for what’s must-see television in tonight’s NFL Kickoff game, jump-starting a historic centennial season both for the NFL and the Bears.
“It’s like a big heavyweight boxing match to start out,” Matt Nagy said. “There’s a couple big shots that are taken early on, and then everybody settles in. That’s just the nature of the beast. For all of our guys, our players, coaches, to just understand that, be prepared for it, and don’t make this thing bigger than what it is. Just play our game, be us. Human nature is to get excited for it and for that time.”
Nagy encouraged his players and coaches to do whatever they need to do leading up to tonight’s kickoff to get into a good mindset.
“Everybody’s a little different in how they handle it,” Nagy said. “Some guys will sleep; others will watch a movie; others will go for a walk. And a lot of guys just like to clear their minds.”
But Cohen, who is known for his energetic personality, doesn’t plan on spending the day lost in his thoughts.
“I just talk to my friends,” said Cohen. “They’re going to hype me up, get me ready to play, get me fired up. Talk to my teammates and just stay mentally prepared.”
