The Kansas City Chiefs will return home in Week 3 to host the Chicago Bears.
The Bears are looking to bounce back from a gloomy 2022 season in which they set a franchise record for the most losses with 14. They didn’t win a single game in November or December and were outscored 105-36 in their final three games. This led to some big offseason moves, including trading the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Chicago traded the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers for two first-round picks, two second-round picks and receiver DJ Moore. The Bears selected big offensive tackle Darnell Wright with their first-round pick, then took defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second round, all three should be Day 1 starters.
The Bears were also busy in free agency. They beefed up their linebacker corps by signing T.J. Edwards and Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmunds, then added defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who had a breakout season in 2022 with seven sacks for the Tennessee Titans. These additions should give a significant boost to a defense that surrendered the second-most rushing yards and most points in the NFL last season.
On the offensive side of the ball, Chicago landed guard Nate Davis to help sure-up its offensive line. The Bears also brought in running backs D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer, as well as tight end Robert Tonyan. They are banking on receivers Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney to step up opposite DJ Moore.
Despite their poor record in 2022, the Bears managed to rank first in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 177.3 rushing yards per game. Unfortunately, Chicago’s passing attack, led by quarterback Justin Fields, ranked dead last in the league. All eyes will be on the Bears’ passing game and if they did enough to improve it in 2023.
Let’s take a look at some of the Bears’ key players and their outlooks heading into the 2023 NFL season: