Chicago Bears 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Chicago Bears.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

While the Bears were the worst team in the league last year with their 3-14 record, they did show some bright spots with some of their young players.  The offense led the league in rushing, due in large part to QB Justin Fields.  Unfortunately, they were also dead last in passing.  That’s not entirely a testament to Fields, though, as Chicago’s pass protection was subpar and their receivers struggled to both get open and catch passes.
 
The struggles didn’t stop on the offensive side, as the defense allowed more points than any other team.  Their 31st place position in rushing defense can be partially attributed to opponents building leads and milking the clock.  The Bears certainly have work to do in Matt Eberflus’ 2nd season.
 
Significant Roster Moves

The Bears lost several contributors from 2022’s team, the majority of them beign offensive and defensive linemen and linebackers.  In addition to them, RB David Montgomerey and WR Byron Pringle left the team as well.
 
Chicago definitely made some moves to bolster the defense, adding Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker at defensive end and Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards at linebacker.  They also traded for WR DJ Moore early in free agency, adding a new top target to hopefully help Justin Fields through the air.  Robert Tonyan and D’Onta Foreman will initially be good backups to start the year at tight end and running back, respectively.
 
2023 Draft Class

Chicago had ten picks in the 2023 draft, and used their initially awarded 1st overall pick to trade down to the 10-slot.  Their pick there, Darnell Wright, has already impressed enough to start at right tackle going into the season.  3rd round cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has also earned a starting spot, while Gervon Dexter Sr., Zacch Pickens, and Roschon Johnson will all get loads of playing time early on in their careers.  There is certainly plenty of room for all of the draft picks to play their way onto the field during the 2023 campaign.
 
Season Schedule

The Bears will take on the NFC South and the AFC West in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .497, Chicago has the 18th hardest schedule in the NFL.

Chicago’s primetime games include two Thursday night games at Washington and versus Carolina, and one Sunday night games at the LA Chargers.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Bears return 12 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is fewer than most teams around the league.  However, that could be a good thing after as bad of a season as last year.  The Bears will hope Justin Fields will take a step forward as a passer this season with some additional help around him.  The good news for the defense is that they couldn’t be worse this year.  There really is nowhere to go but up for Chicago if you want to look at it optimistically.
 
Coaching Staff

Matt Eberflus returns for his 2nd season as head coach of the Bears.  All three coordinators return for their 2nd season in their respective roles as well: Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy, Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams, and Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower. 
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Chicago at 7.5 games.  As of right now, the Bears are the 3rd most likely team to win the NFC North and are the 10th most likely team to win the NFC as a whole.  At +5000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 18th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Bears to finish 6-11 in 2023 for last in the NFC North after losing a tiebreaker with the Packers.  At 11th in the NFC, they’ll miss out on the playoffs again this year.

What do you think?  Will Chicago be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Bears surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson