2023 Chicago Bears season

Last updated

2023 Chicago Bears season
Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey
General manager Ryan Poles
Head coach Matt Eberflus
Home field Soldier Field
Results
Record7–10
Division place4th NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers CB Jaylon Johnson
DE Montez Sweat
All-Pros CB Jaylon Johnson (2nd team)
Uniform
Chicago Bears Uniforms 2022-present.png

The 2023 season was the Chicago Bears' 104th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles.

Contents

Despite starting the season 0–4, and extending the team losing streak to 14 (longest in team history; dating back to the 2022 season), [1] the Bears improved on their 3–14 record from the previous season after a Week 12 win over the Minnesota Vikings, and improved on their 6–11 record from the 2021 season after a Week 17 win against the Atlanta Falcons, although a Week 15 loss to the Cleveland Browns ensured their third consecutive losing season and fifth consecutive non-winning campaign. After the Carolina Panthers' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on New Year's Eve, they secured the first overall pick in the NFL draft for the second successive season. However, wins by the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers later that day eliminated the Bears from playoff contention for the third consecutive season.

The Bears tied an NFL record for most blown double digit 4th quarter leads, at three. [2]

During the season, Justin Fields became the fourth quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to have 5,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in their first 30 starts. [3]

The Chicago Bears drew an average home attendance of 61,769 in 8 home games in the 2023 NFL season. [4]

Draft

Draft trades

  1. 1 2 3 The Bears traded a first-round selection (1st overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for first- and second-round selections (9th and 61st overall), a 2024 first-round selection, a 2025 second-round selection and WR D. J. Moore. [5]
  2. 1 2 The Bears traded a first-round selection (9th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first-round selection (10th overall) and a 2024 fourth-round selection. [6]
  3. ↑ The Bears traded a second-round selection (32nd overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for WR Chase Claypool. [7]
  4. 1 2 The Bears traded LB Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for second- and fifth-round selections (53rd and 158th overall), and LB A. J. Klein. [8]
  5. 1 2 3 The Bears traded second- and fifth-round selections (61st and 136th overall) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a second-round selection (56th overall). [9]
  6. 1 2 3 The Bears traded a fourth-round selection (103rd overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round selections (115th and 165th overall). [10]
  7. ↑ The Bears traded DE Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round selection (133rd overall). [11]
  8. ↑ The Bears traded a sixth-round selection (178th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for WR Jakeem Grant. [12]
  9. ↑ The Bears traded a sixth-round selection (200th overall) to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for two 2022 seventh-round selections (254th and 255th overall). [13]
  10. ↑ The Bears traded LB Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a sixth-round selection (200th overall) and a 2022 second-round selection (48th overall). [14]

Staff

On February 1, 2023, the Bears announced that Jon Hoke was hired as their new cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator, [17] replacing James Rowe who left to become University of South Florida defensive passing game coordinator. [18]

On September 20, 2023, Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams resigned, citing health and family concerns. [19] According to multiple reports, the Bears’ human resources department was involved in the process that would lead up to Williams’ resignation as a result of inappropriate activity. [20] On October 16, 2023, the Phil Snow was hired as their Defensive Analyst. [21]

On November 1, 2023, Running backs coach David Walker was fired by the Bears over workplace behavior. [22] Omar Young, the assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, replaced him. [23]

2023 Chicago Bears staff

Front office

  • Secretary of the board of directors – Virginia Halas McCaskey
  • Chairman – George McCaskey
  • President/CEO – Kevin Warren
  • General manager – Ryan Poles
  • Assistant general manager – Ian Cunningham
  • Senior vice president/general counsel – Cliff Stein
  • Co-director of player personnel – Jeff King
  • Co-director of player personnel – Trey Koziol
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Chris White
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Breck Ackley
  • Director of football administration – Matt Feinstein
  • Director of football research – Harrison Fried
  • Director of football analytics – Krithi Chandrakasan

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Luke Getsy
  • Quarterbacks – Andrew Janocko
  • Running backs – David Walker;
    fired on November 1
  • Passing game coordinator/wide receivers – Tyke Tolbert
  • Tight ends – Jim Dray
  • Assistant tight ends – Tim Zetts
  • Offensive line – Chris Morgan
  • Assistant offensive line – Luke Steckel
  • Assistant Quarterbacks – Omar Young ;
    Running backs coach from November 1
  • Offensive quality control – Zach Cable
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Alan Williams;
    resigned on September 20
  • Defensive line – Travis Smith
  • Assistant defensive line – Justin Hinds
  • Linebackers – Dave Borgonzi
  • Cornerbacks/passing game coordinator – Jon Hoke
  • Safeties – Andre Curtis
  • Assistant defensive backs – David Overstreet II
  • Senior defensive analyst – Phil Snow
  • Defensive quality control – Kevin Koch

Special teams coaches

Coaching administration
  • Director of research and analysis – Harrison Freid
  • Chief of staff – Sean Magee
  • Coaching assistant – Kenny Norton III

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Jim Arthur
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Noble Landry
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Pierre Ngo
  • Player engagement/strength and conditioning – Isaiah Harris


Final roster

2023 Chicago Bears roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 2 reserve, 16 practice squad

Preseason

The Bears' preseason opponents and schedule was announced in the spring.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 12 Tennessee Titans W 23–171–0 Soldier Field Recap
2August 19at Indianapolis Colts L 17–241–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3August 26 Buffalo Bills L 21–241–2Soldier Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1 September 10 Green Bay Packers L 20–380–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 September 17at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–270–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 24at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–410–3 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
4 October 1 Denver Broncos L 28–310–4Soldier Field Recap
5 October 5at Washington Commanders W 40–201–4 FedExField Recap
6 October 15 Minnesota Vikings L 13–191–5Soldier Field Recap
7 October 22 Las Vegas Raiders W 30–122–5Soldier Field Recap
8 October 29at Los Angeles Chargers L 13–302–6 SoFi Stadium Recap
9 November 5at New Orleans Saints L 17–242–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
10 November 9 Carolina Panthers W 16–133–7Soldier Field Recap
11 November 19at Detroit Lions L 26–313–8 Ford Field Recap
12 November 27at Minnesota Vikings W 12–104–8 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 10 Detroit Lions W 28–135–8Soldier Field Recap
15 December 17at Cleveland Browns L 17–205–9 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Arizona Cardinals W 27–166–9Soldier Field Recap
17 December 31 Atlanta Falcons W 37–177–9Soldier Field Recap
18 January 7at Green Bay Packers L 9–177–10 Lambeau Field Recap
Notes:
* Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 1: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers73141438
Bears338620

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

The Bears lost to the Packers for the 9th straight time and the 14th time in the last 15 meetings.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears730717
Buccaneers3107727

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 3: Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears0001010
Chiefs7277041

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,562
  • Referee: Alan Eck
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 4: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos7071731
Bears0217028

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

The Bears blew a 28–7 lead and lost to Russell Wilson and the Broncos, 31–28. The blown 21-point lead tied for the largest in Bears history. [24] The Bears remained winless and extended their losing streak to 14 games.

Week 5: at Washington Commanders

Week 5: Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears101701340
Commanders0311620

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Game information

Only a few hours after the death of team legend Dick Butkus, the Bears upset the Commanders, and picked up their first win of the season, improving to 1–4. Justin Fields had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 when he threw to D. J. Moore, and D. J. Moore had a day with 230 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. They broke their losing streak of 14 games dating back to last season.

Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 6: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings397019
Bears060713

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 7: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 7: Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Raiders030912
Bears777930

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 8: Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears070613
Chargers14106030

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints

Week 9: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears773017
Saints773724

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,006
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 10: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers730313
Bears367016

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,200
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (WFLD/Prime Video): Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit and Kaylee Hartung
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: at Detroit Lions

Week 11: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears7310626
Lions01401731

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

The Bears became the first team in history to lose a game while having possession for over 40 minutes, with the Lions coming back from a 12-point deficit with just 4 minutes and 15 seconds on the clock. [25]

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 12: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears033612
Vikings030710

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 14: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions0130013
Bears1009928

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 36 °F (2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,185
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: at Cleveland Browns

Week 15: Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears0710017
Browns0701320

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Rain, 45 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,919
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals073616
Bears7143327

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,978
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 17: Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Falcons073717
Bears71461037

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers

Week 18: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears33039
Packers077317

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Standings

Division

NFC North
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(3) Detroit Lions 1250.7064–28–4461395W1
(7) Green Bay Packers 980.5294–27–5383350W3
Minnesota Vikings 7100.4122–46–6344362L4
Chicago Bears 7100.4122–46–6360379L1

Conference

NFC
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1 [a] San Francisco 49ers West1250.7065–110–2.509.475L1
2 [a] [b] Dallas Cowboys East1250.7065–19–3.446.392W2
3 [a] [b] Detroit Lions North1250.7064–28–4.481.436W1
4 [c] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South980.5294–27–5.481.379W1
Wild cards
5 Philadelphia Eagles East1160.6474–27–5.481.476L2
6 Los Angeles Rams West1070.5885–18–4.529.453W4
7 [d] [e] Green Bay Packers North980.5294–27–5.474.458W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8 [d] [e] Seattle Seahawks West980.5292–47–5.512.392W1
9 [c] [d] New Orleans Saints South980.5294–26–6.433.340W2
10 [f] [g] Minnesota Vikings North7100.4122–46–6.509.454L4
11 [g] [h] Chicago Bears North7100.4122–46–6.464.370L1
12 [f] [h] Atlanta Falcons South7100.4123–34–8.429.462L2
13 New York Giants East6110.3533–35–7.512.353W1
14 [i] Washington Commanders East4130.2350–62–10.512.338L8
15 [i] Arizona Cardinals West4130.2350–63–9.561.588L1
16 Carolina Panthers South2150.1181–51–11.522.500L3
Tiebreakers [j]
  1. 1 2 3 San Francisco finished ahead of Dallas and Detroit based on conference record, claiming the No. 1 seed.
  2. 1 2 Dallas claimed the No. 2 seed over Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 Tampa Bay finished ahead of New Orleans in the NFC South based on common record. (Tampa Bay is 8–4 against Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis, while New Orleans is 6–6 against the same teams.)
  4. 1 2 3 Green Bay and Seattle finished ahead of New Orleans based on conference record.
  5. 1 2 Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on strength of victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
  6. 1 2 Minnesota finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Chicago (see below).
  7. 1 2 Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago based on common record. (Minnesota is 5–7 against Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina, Kansas City, Green Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Las Vegas, and Detroit, while Chicago is 4–8 against the same teams.)
  8. 1 2 Chicago finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory.
  9. 1 2 Washington finished ahead of Arizona based on head-to-head victory.
  10. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ↑ Gordon, Grant (October 6, 2023). "Justin Fields, Bears snap 14-game losing streak: 'I'm proud of everybody in the building'". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Bears reach historic depths of blowing late leads". ESPN.com. December 19, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Chicago Bears snap 14-game losing streak with 40-20 victory over the Washington Commanders". CNN.
  4. ↑ "2023 NFL Football Attendance - National Football League - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  5. ↑ McDaniel, Mike (March 10, 2023). "Bears Trade No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft to Panthers, per Reports". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Eagles trade up, pick Georgia DT Carter at No. 9". April 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Roster Move: Bears agree to acquire Chase Claypool in trade with Steelers". Chicago Bears. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Bears trading LB Roquan Smith to Ravens for draft picks". NFL.com. October 31, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bears trade up for Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson with 56th pick in 2023 NFL draft". April 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ Hendrix, John (April 29, 2023). "Saints Trade With Bears to Get First Pick of Round 4". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  11. ↑ Spadaro, Dave (October 26, 2022). "Eagles trade for Pro Bowl DE Robert Quinn". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  12. ↑ Patra, Kevin (October 5, 2021). "Bears acquire WR Jakeem Grant in trade with Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ Peterson, Michael (April 30, 2022). "Chargers trade #254, #255 to Bears for 2023 6th-round pick". Bolts From The Blue. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Chargers Acquire Six-Time Pro Bowl Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack". March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Bears sign 14 undrafted free agents – Roster Moves". chicagobears.com. May 4, 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Roster Moves: Bears sign four players from rookie minicamp". chicagobears.com. May 8, 2023.
  17. ↑ Hajduk, Gabby (February 1, 2023). "Bears announce staff changes". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Bears DBs coach James Rowe is leaving for USF". chicitysports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigns 'to take care of health and family'". Chicago Sun-Times. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Sources: Alan Williams left Bears over inappropriate activity". ESPN.
  21. ↑ "Bears hire Phil Snow as a defensive analyst". NBC Sports.
  22. ↑ "Source: Bears fire RB coach over behavior issue". ESPN.com. November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Bears fire running backs coach David Walker due to workplace behavior". CBS.
  24. ↑ Bears' blown lead tied for worst meltdown in team history, Yahoo Sports, October 1, 2023
  25. ↑ Bears Made Embarrassing NFL History In Brutal Loss to Lions, SI.com, November 20, 2023

Draft trades

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