Chicago Bears Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- Soldier Field
- Head Coach
- Matt Eberflus
- Offensive Coordinator
- Luke Getsy
- Defensive Coordinator
- Alan Williams
- Special Teams Coach
- Richard Hightower
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke publicly about impending free agent David Montgomery, saying that he wants the running back to return. "I've always wanted to keep David," Poles said, via Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire. "I love his mentality, how he plays the game. I told him that to his face. He's part of the identity that we had this year that kept us competitive." Montgomery showed flashes of dominance in 2022 but was ultimately overshadowed by Justin Fields' elite rushing ability. Thus, if Montgomery and Fields both return in 2023, the former would likely rank as a low-end RB2 heading into fantasy drafts. The rise of No. 2 running back Khalil Herbert can't be ignored, either.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said that wide receiver Darnell Mooney (ankle) will be back on the field in the spring based on how his rehab has gone so far. Mooney suffered a broken left ankle in Week 12 and was forced to undergo season-ending surgery. The 25-year-old was quarterback Justin Fields' No. 1 target in the passing game before he was hurt, and the third-year wideout finished with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns on 61 targets in his 12 starts. Mooney is probably best suited to be a team's No. 2 pass-catcher, and the Bears will surely look to upgrade a receiving corps that also includes Chase Claypool after they acquired him at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Steelers. With an ascending and talented Fields under center, Mooney could easily bounce back with better health in 2023.
The Chicago Bears are committed to quarterback Justin Fields as their starter for next season. When asked about the plans for Fields as the team's starter in 2023, general manager Ryan Poles said he has to be "absolutely blown away" to take a QB at No. 1 in this year's draft. While the Bears finished last in the NFL in 2022 with only three wins, Fields took a step forward in his second season with a 60.4% completion percentage, 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games played. He also had 160 rushing attempts (second-most) for a league-high 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Chicago needs to get Fields some more help in the passing game and on the offensive line, but it would be a big surprise if they took at signal-caller to kick off the 2023 draft.
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet caught four of his five targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in a 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18. Kmet wound up catching Chicago's only passing touchdown of the afternoon on an 11-yard pass from Nathan Peterman in the third quarter. Kmet set a career-high with seven touchdowns this season while showing excellent chemistry with breakout quarterback Justin Fields along the way. Kmet wraps up his third NFL season with 50 catches for 544 yards and seven scores while playing in all 17 games. He will be on the radar as a low-end TE1 heading into 2023 drafts.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool caught two of his six targets for 29 yards in a 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18. Claypool's quiet afternoon against the Vikings wraps up a second-straight disappointing season for him after he exploded onto the scene with 11 total touchdowns in 2020 as a rookie. The Bears traded a second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire Claypool at the trade deadline and he wound up catching just 14 passes for 140 yards and no touchdowns in his seven games with Chicago. Overall, Claypool wraps up his third NFL season with 46 catches for 451 yards and one touchdown in 15 total games split between Pittsburgh and Chicago. Claypool will be a boom/bust WR4 heading into 2023 drafts.
