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Unrest appears to be spreading through the Chicago Bears locker room after the team lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, 27-14. The Bears are now 0-3 at home this season, and it isn't sitting well with players according to various witnesses.
According to reports, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and offensive lineman Kyle Long were reportedly at the center of the scene. Marshall reportedly ranted about the team's 3-4 record, while Long ripped into Bears fans at Soldier Field. Long complained about fans booing, but not making noise whenever the Dolphins were on third downs.
Kyle Long blames fans for not making enough noise on 3rd down defensive plays, and says they can't boo. This is quite a day for the #Bears.
— Dan Bernstein (@dan_bernstein) October 19, 2014
Just got back from the #Bears locker room. Brandon Marshall said being 3-4 is unacceptable dozens of times. Kyle Long ripped the fans.
— Jordan Bernfield (@JordanBernfield) October 19, 2014
Loud yelling heard from outside #Bears locker room "when you play with heart!... It's suppose to hurt" .. Then "you just kick the ball"
— Peggy Kusinski (@peggykusinski) October 19, 2014
Ugly scene in #bears locker room right after game. Lots of yelling, players pulled out of room
— Jeremy Stoltz (@BearReport) October 19, 2014
Coach Trestman says it’s "a very sick locker room" in terms of how the #Bears played today. #MIAvsCHI
— Lyndsay Petruny (@LPetruny) October 19, 2014
Marshall and Long both explained their comments after reports of locker room tension emerged. The veteran receiver said that he was simply making the point that the the loss at home to the Dolphins was "unacceptable" as the Bears have now lost three of their last four games.
Long took to Twitter to clarify his remarks about fans.
Wasn't just running around blaming the fans. I was asked about it and I said what I said. I wish we were making great plays all the time too
— Kyle Long (@Ky1eLong) October 19, 2014
It's hard to make out what exactly happened in the locker room without having been there. Why the scene took place isn't very difficult to parse, however.
The Bears met what had been a 2-3 Dolphins team and got outplayed on both sides of the ball. The defense allowed a 25-for-32, two-touchdown passing performance from a previously maligned Ryan Tannehill. What had been a shaky running game managed 131 yards against a retooled Bears front seven.
The Bears' offense continues to have problems despite its obvious talent. Jay Cutler was 21-for-34 for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Matt Forte continues to be a non-factor on the ground. He was held to just 12 carries for 49 yards after the Bears were forced to throw to climb out of a 24-7 deficit.