NFL fans were annoyed by some of Troy Aikman’s broadcasting criticism on Monday evening.
The Chicago Bears took down the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” to wrap up Week 3. The Bears were playing without star quarterback Caleb Williams, but veteran backup Case Keenum got the job done.
Chicago remained aggressive despite Williams’ absence. During the first half, the Bears unsuccessfully went for it on a 4th and Goal. Aikman was confused by Ben Johnson’s decision making.
“Don’t understand it, Joe,” Aikman said live on the air.
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
The NFL analytics community very much understands it, though. You’re giving your team a better chance of winning if you go for the touchdown in that situation.
Aikman might not understand it, but that doesn’t mean that he’s right.
NFL fans disagreed with Aikman’s criticism
“Bears do the analytically correct thing that has continued to be proven correct even after the entire NFL has changed to making the correct decision in that situation,” one fan wrote. “Yeah, bud. And ya never will. Go to bed grandpa.”
“Was thinking the same thing. How does he not at least understand it?” one fan added.
“He understands the strategy, I’m sure. He just frames it this way because he thinks it’s silly,” one fan added.
“It’s ok to disagree, but also understand why almost every team goes for it on 4th-and-goal from the 3 in 2026,” one fan added.
Aikman can disagree with the strategy all he wants, or act like he doesn’t understand it, but that’s not going to stop head coaches from being aggressive inside of the red zone moving forward.
