CHICAGO BEARS
2023 Record - 7-10
Head Coach - Matt Eberflus
Key Additions - Keenan Allen (WR), D'Andre Swift (RB), Gerald Everett (TE), Kevin Byard (S), Jonathan Owens (S)
Key Losses - Dustin Jones (DL), Justin Fields (QB), Eddie Jackson (S), Cody Whitehair (OL), Yannick Ngakoue (DL)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Justin Fields (2,562 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT)
RUSHING - Justin Fields (657 yards, 5.3 ypc, 4 TD); Khalil Herbert (611 yards, 4.6 ypc, 2 TD)
RECEIVING - DJ Moore (96 receptions, 1,364 yards, 8 TD)
SACKS - Montez Sweat (6)
INTERCEPTIONS - Jaylon Johnson (4); Tremaine Edmunds (4); Tyrique Stevenson (4)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Bears finished strong last year, especially on defense and this season will look to get the offense up to par as they drafted quarterback Caleb Williams (USC) with the first pick in the NFL draft. The Bears offense ranked 20th overall in 2023, averaging 323 yards per game and they scored 21.2 points per game. The offensive line was an issue a year ago, allowing 50 sacks, so that is a priority to improve as they look to protect their new quarterback.
Along with a new QB, Chicago brought in All-Pro wide receiver Keenan Allen (from L.A. Chargers) and he had 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight end Gerald Everett (also from Chargers) and running back D'Andre Swift (1,049 rushing yards, 4.6 ypc and five TD with Philadelphia) also came over in the off-season to give them multiple weapons. DJ Moore is the top dog in the Bears receiving corps and should be their main target again this season. Rookie first round pick wide receiver Rome Odunze (Washington) will be in the mix as well.
The defense is led by a fierce pass rush, which was bolstered by defensive end Montez Sweat halfway through the 2023 season. The Bears had just 30 sacks, but their defense was 12th overall, allowing 324 YPG and allowed 22.3 PPG and they had the best run defense in the NFL. The secondary is superb, getting 22 interceptions last year (tied for first overall) and they have several ball hawks that can cause problems for opposing offenses.
If Chicago can stay healthy and rookie QB Caleb Williams proves to be the real deal, this team should improve from 7-10 a year ago and could be a playoff team. Head Coach Matt Eberflus will be feeling the heat if the team doesn't compete with the big boys of the NFC North (Detroit and Green Bay) but in the topsy turvy world of the NFL, things can change quickly and that is what the Bears are counting on this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Tennessee
Week Two - at Houston
Week Three - at Indianapolis
Week Four - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Five - vs. Carolina
Week Six - vs. Jacksonville (London, England)
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at Washington
Week Nine - at Arizona
Week Ten - vs. New England
Week Eleven - vs. Green Bay
Week Twelve - vs. Minnesota
Week Thirteen - at Detroit
Week Fourteen - at San Francisco
Week Fifteen - at Minnesota
Week Sixteen - vs. Detroit
Week Seventeen - vs. Seattle
Week Eighteen - at Green Bay
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