2023 Chicago Bears season
OwnerThe McCaskey Family
General managerRyan Poles
Head coachMatt Eberflus
Home fieldSoldier Field
Results
Record7–10
Division place4th NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersCB Jaylon Johnson
DE Montez Sweat
AP All-ProsCB Jaylon Johnson (2nd team)
Uniform

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.

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.

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.[2]

Draft

Main article: 2023 NFL Draft
2023 Chicago Bears Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 1 Traded to Carolina[A]
9 Traded to Philadelphia[B] from Carolina[A]
10 Darnell Wright OT Tennessee from Philadelphia[B] via New Orleans[C]
2 32 Traded to Pittsburgh[D]
53 Gervon Dexter DT Florida from Baltimore[E]
56 Tyrique Stevenson CB Miami (FL) from Jacksonville[F]
61 Traded to Jacksonville[F] from San Francisco[G] via Carolina[A]
3 64 Zacch Pickens DT South Carolina
4 103 Traded to New Orleans[H]
115 Roschon Johnson RB Texas from New Orleans[H]
133 Tyler Scott WR Cincinnati from Philadelphia[I]
5 136 Traded to Jacksonville[F]
148 Noah Sewell LB Oregon from New England[J] via Baltimore[E]
165 Terell Smith CB Minnesota from Philadelphia
6 178 Traded to Miami[K]
200 Traded to LA Chargers[L] from LA Chargers[M]
7 218 Travis Bell DT Kennesaw State
258 Kendall Williamson CB Stanford Supplemental compensatory selection

Draft trades

  1. ^ a b c The Bears traded a first-round selection (1st overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver D. J. Moore, first and second-round selections (9th and 61st overall), a 2024 first-round selection, and a 2025 second-round selection.[Trade 1]
  2. ^ a b The Bears traded a first round-round selection (9th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first round-round selection (10th overall) and a 2024 fourth-round selection.[Trade 2]
  3. ^ New Orleans traded a first-round selection, as well as 2022 first, third, and seventh-round selections, and a 2024 second-round selection to Philadelphia in exchange for two 2022 first-round selections and a sixth-round selection.[Trade 3]
  4. ^ The Bears traded its second-round selection (32nd overall) to Pittsburgh in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool.[Trade 4]
  5. ^ a b The Bears traded linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore in exchange for linebacker A. J. Klein along with second and fifth-round selections (53rd and 148th overall).[Trade 5]
  6. ^ a b c The Bears traded their second- and fifth-round selections (61st and 136th overall) in exchange for Jacksonville's second-round selection (56th overall).[3]
  7. ^ San Francisco traded second, third, and fourth-round selections and a 2024 fifth-round selection to Carolina in exchange for running back Christian McCaffrey.[Trade 1][Trade 6]
  8. ^ a b The Bears traded the fourth-round pick (103rd overall) pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for two fourth-round picks (115th and 165th overall).[Trade 7]
  9. ^ Philadelphia traded a fourth-round selection to Chicago in exchange for defensive end Robert Quinn.[Trade 8]
  10. ^ New England traded a fifth-round selection and a 2022 seventh-round selection to Baltimore in exchange for cornerback Shaun Wade.[Trade 5][Trade 9]
  11. ^ The Bears traded a sixth-round selection (178th overall) to Miami in exchange for wide receiver Jakeem Grant.[Trade 10]
  12. ^ The Bears traded the sixth-round selection back to the Chargers in exchange for two 2022 seventh-round selections.[Trade 11]
  13. ^ The Bears traded outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chargers in exchange for a sixth-round selection (200th overall) as well as a 2022 second-round selection.[Trade 12]
2023 Chicago Bears undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Nick Amoah OT UC Davis [4]
Tyson Bagent QB Shepherd
Micah Baskerville LB LSU
Justin Broiles S Oklahoma
Robert Burns FB UConn
Damien Caffrey TE Stony Brook
Macon Clark S Tulane
Aron Cruickshank WR Rutgers
Jalen Harris DE Arizona
Robert Haskins OT USC
Gabe Houy Pittsburgh
D'Anthony Jones DE Houston [5]
Josh Lugg G Notre Dame
Lorenz Metz Cincinnati [4]
Thyrick Pitts WR Delaware
Andre Szmyt K Syracuse
Bralen Trahan S Louisiana [5]

Staff

On February 1, 2023, the Bears announced that Jon Hoke was hired as their new cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator,[6] replacing James Rowe who left to become University of South Florida defensive passing game coordinator.[7]

On September 20, 2023, Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams resigned, citing health and family concerns.[8] 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.[9] On October 16, 2023 the Phil Snow was hired as their Defensive Analyst.[10]

On November 1, 2023, Running backs coach David Walker was fired by the Bears over workplace behavior.[11] Omar Young, the assistant quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, replaced him.[12]


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 final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


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

Preseason

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

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 12 Tennessee Titans W 23–17 1–0 Soldier Field Recap
2 August 19 at Indianapolis Colts L 17–24 1–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 August 26 Buffalo Bills L 21–24 1–2 Soldier Field Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 Green Bay Packers L 20–38 0–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 September 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–27 0–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 24 at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–41 0–3 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
4 October 1 Denver Broncos L 28–31 0–4 Soldier Field Recap
5 October 5 at Washington Commanders W 40–20 1–4 FedExField Recap
6 October 15 Minnesota Vikings L 13–19 1–5 Soldier Field Recap
7 October 22 Las Vegas Raiders W 30–12 2–5 Soldier Field Recap
8 October 29 at Los Angeles Chargers L 13–30 2–6 SoFi Stadium Recap
9 November 5 at New Orleans Saints L 17–24 2–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
10 November 9 Carolina Panthers W 16–13 3–7 Soldier Field Recap
11 November 19 at Detroit Lions L 26–31 3–8 Ford Field Recap
12 November 27 at Minnesota Vikings W 12–10 4–8 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
13 Bye
14 December 10 Detroit Lions W 28–13 5–8 Soldier Field Recap
15 December 17 at Cleveland Browns L 17–20 5–9 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Arizona Cardinals W 27–16 6–9 Soldier Field Recap
17 December 31 Atlanta Falcons W 37–17 7–9 Soldier Field Recap
18 January 7 at Green Bay Packers L 9–17 7–10 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
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 3 141438
Bears 3 3 8620

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 3 0717
Buccaneers 3 10 7727

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 3: Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 01010
Chiefs 7 27 7041

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 71731
Bears 0 21 7028

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.[13] 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
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 10 17 01340
Commanders 0 3 11620

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 9 7019
Bears 0 6 0713

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 7: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 7: Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 3 0912
Bears 7 7 7930

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 8: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 8: Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 0613
Chargers 14 10 6030

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Game information

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints

Week 9: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 7 3017
Saints 7 7 3724

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 3 0313
Bears 3 6 7016

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 3 10626
Lions 0 14 01731

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.[14]

Week 12: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 12: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 3 3612
Vikings 0 3 0710

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 14: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 13 0013
Bears 10 0 9928

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 10017
Browns 0 7 01320

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 3616
Bears 7 14 3327

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 7 3717
Bears 7 14 61037

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers

Week 18: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 3 039
Packers 0 7 7317

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Standings

Division

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Detroit Lions 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 461 395 W1
(7) Green Bay Packers 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 383 350 W3
Minnesota Vikings 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 344 362 L4
Chicago Bears 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 360 379 L1

Conference

NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] San Francisco 49ers West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 10–2 .509 .475 L1
2[a][b] Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 5–1 9–3 .446 .392 W2
3[a][b] Detroit Lions North 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .481 .436 W1F
4[c] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .481 .379 W1
Wild cards
5 Philadelphia Eagles East 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 .481 .476 L2
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 7 0 .588 5–1 8–4 .529 .453 W4
7[d][e] Green Bay Packers North 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .474 .458 W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d][e] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 2–4 7–5 .512 .392 W1
9[c][d] New Orleans Saints South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .433 .340 W2
10[f][g] Minnesota Vikings North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .509 .454 L4
11[g][h] Chicago Bears North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .464 .370 L1
12[f][h] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .429 .462 L2
13 New York Giants East 6 11 0 .353 3–3 5–7 .512 .353 W1
14[i] Washington Commanders East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 2–10 .512 .338 L8
15[i] Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 0–6 3–9 .561 .588 L1
16 Carolina Panthers South 2 15 0 .118 1–5 1–11 .522 .500 L3
Tiebreakers[j]
  1. ^ a b c San Francisco finished ahead of Dallas and Detroit based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Dallas finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of New Orleans 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. ^ a b c Green Bay and Seattle finished ahead of New Orleans based on conference record.
  5. ^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on strength of victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
  6. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Chicago (see below).
  7. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago based on common record. (Minnesota is 5–7 against Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Carolina, Kansas City, Green Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Las Vegas, and Detroit, while Atlanta is 4–8 against the same teams.)
  8. ^ a b Chicago finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory.
  9. ^ a b 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. ^ "Justin Fields, Bears snap 14-game losing streak: 'I'm proud of everybody in the building'". NFL.com.
  2. ^ "Chicago Bears snap 14-game losing streak with 40-20 victory over the Washington Commanders". CNN.
  3. ^ "Bears trade up for Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson with 56th pick in 2023 NFL draft". April 29, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Bears sign 14 undrafted free agents – Roster Moves". chicagobears.com. May 4, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Roster Moves: Bears sign four players from rookie minicamp". chicagobears.com. May 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Hajduk, Gabby (February 1, 2023). "Bears announce staff changes". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bears DBs coach James Rowe is leaving for USF". chicitysports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigns 'to take care of health and family'". Chicago Sun-Times. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Sources: Alan Williams left Bears over inappropriate activity". ESPN.
  10. ^ "Bears hire Phil Snow as a defensive analyst". NBC Sports.
  11. ^ "Source: Bears fire RB coach over behavior issue". ESPN.com. November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  12. ^ "Bears fire running backs coach David Walker due to workplace behavior". CBS.
  13. ^ Bears' blown lead tied for worst meltdown in team history, Yahoo Sports, October 1, 2023
  14. ^ Bears Made Embarrassing NFL History In Brutal Loss to Lions, SI.com, November 20, 2023

Draft trades

  1. ^ a b McDaniel, Mike (March 10, 2023). "Bears Trade No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft to Panthers, per Reports". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Eagles trade up, pick Georgia DT Jalen Carter in NFL draft". April 27, 2023.
  3. ^ "Sources: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints shake up first round of 2022 NFL draft with multipick trade". April 4, 2022.
  4. ^ "Roster Move: Bears agree to acquire Chase Claypool in trade with Steelers". Chicago Bears. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Bears trading LB Roquan Smith to Ravens for draft picks". NFL.com. October 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "Panthers trading RB Christian McCaffrey to 49ers in exchange for host of draft picks". NFL.com. October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  7. ^ "Report: Bears trade back again, pick up extra 5th-rounder". April 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Spadaro, Dave (October 26, 2022). "Eagles trade for Pro Bowl DE Robert Quinn". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  9. ^ DeArdo, Bryan (August 26, 2021). "Patriots, Ravens agree to trade that sends rookie Shaun Wade to New England, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  10. ^ Patra, Kevin (October 5, 2021). "Bears acquire WR Jakeem Grant in trade with Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  11. ^ Peterson, Michael (April 30, 2022). "Chargers trade #254, #255 to Bears for 2023 6th-round pick". Bolts From The Blue. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "Chargers Acquire Six-Time Pro Bowl Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack". March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.

External links

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