2022 Chicago Bears season

The 2022 season was the Chicago Bears' 103rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. They failed to improve upon their 6–11 record from the previous season.

2022 Chicago Bears season
OwnerVirginia Halas McCaskey
General managerRyan Poles
Head coachMatt Eberflus
Home fieldSoldier Field
Results
Record3–14
Division place4th NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone
Uniform

Despite starting with a 2–1 record, the Bears lost 13 of their last 14 games including a franchise-record 10-game losing streak to end the season. In Week 13, the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season[1] and failed to improve on their 6–11 record from the previous season. With their Week 18 loss combined with a Houston win, the Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (which they later traded to Carolina).[2][3] The Bears set a franchise record with 14 losses. The Bears also failed to win a game against a divisional opponent for the third time in franchise history following the 1969 and 2017 seasons.

Despite the struggles, second-year quarterback Justin Fields had a breakout season, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and setting the Bears' single-season quarterback rushing yards record.[4] The Bears also led the league in rushing with 3,014 yards on 558 attempts, breaking their previous single-season record of 2,974 set in 1984.[5][6][7]

Offseason

Head coach

The Chicago Bears fired fourth-year head coach Matt Nagy on January 10, 2022, who most notably led the organization to one NFC North title and two NFL Playoffs appearances among other accolades.[8] On January 27, 2022, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was hired as the 17th head coach in franchise history.[9] Eberflus will transition the Bears defense scheme from a 3–4 defense to a 4–3 defense.[10]

General manager

The Chicago Bears fired seventh-year general manager Ryan Pace on January 10, 2022, who most notably led the organization to draft Eddie Jackson, Tarik Cohen, and Mitchell Trubisky.[8] On January 25, 2022, Kansas City Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles was named the general manager of the Bears.[11]

Roster changes

The Chicago Bears made several moves in order to clear salary cap space, such as trading defensive end/outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2022 second round pick (48th overall; later used to draft Jaquan Brisker) and a sixth round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.[12]

Draft
Main article: 2022 NFL Draft
2022 Chicago Bears Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
17 Traded to the New York Giants[upper-alpha 1]
239 Kyler GordonCBWashington
48 Jaquan BriskerSPenn Statefrom LA Chargers[upper-alpha 2]
371 Velus Jones Jr.WRTennessee
4112 Traded to the New York Giants[upper-alpha 1]
5148 Traded to Buffalo[upper-alpha 3]from Houston[upper-alpha 4]
150 Traded to Houston[upper-alpha 5]
166 Traded to Cincinnati[upper-alpha 6]from Arizona via Philadelphia and Houston[upper-alpha 5]
168 Braxton JonesOTSouthern Utahfrom Buffalo[upper-alpha 3]
174 Dominique RobinsonDEMiami (OH)from Cincinnati[upper-alpha 6]
6186 Zachary ThomasOTSan Diego State
203 Trestan EbnerRBBaylorfrom Bills[upper-alpha 3]
207 Doug KramerCIllinoisfrom San Francisco via NY Jets and Houston[upper-alpha 5]
7226 Ja'Tyre CarterOTSouthernfrom NY Giants via Cincinnati[upper-alpha 6]
228 Traded to Houston[upper-alpha 4]
254 Elijah HicksSCaliforniafrom LA Chargers[upper-alpha 7]
255 Trenton GillPNC Statefrom LA Chargers[upper-alpha 7]

Draft trades

  1. The Bears traded first- and fourth-round selections (7th and 112th overall), and 2021 first- and fourth-round selections to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2021 first-round selection.
  2. The Bears traded LB Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a second-round selection (48th overall) and a 2023 sixth-round selection.[13]
  3. The Bears traded a fifth-round selection (148th overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round selections (168th and 203rd overall).[14]
  4. The Bears traded WR Anthony Miller and a seventh-round selection (228th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a fifth-round selection (148th overall).[15]
  5. The Bears traded a fifth-round selection (150th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round selections (166th and 207th overall).[16]
  6. The Bears traded a fifth-round selection (166th overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for fifth- and seventh-round selections (174th and 226th overall).[17]
  7. The Bears traded a 2023 sixth-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for two seventh-round selections (254th and 255th overall).[18]
2022 Chicago Bears undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Christian Albright LB Ball State [19]
Jaylan Alexander Purdue [20]
Jon Alexander S Charlotte [19]
Chase Allen TE Iowa State [20]
C. J. Avery LB Louisville
Amari Carter S Miami (FL)
Jean Delance OT Florida
Micah Dew-Treadway DT Minnesota
Allie Green IV CB Missouri
Cyrus Holder WR Duquesne
Jaylon Jones CB Ole Miss
Landon Lenoir WR Southern Illinois
Henry Litwin Slippery Rock
Antonio Ortiz LS TCU [19]
Jack Sanborn LB Wisconsin [20]
Savon Scarver WR Utah State
Kevin Shaa Liberty
Carson Taylor DE Northern Arizona [19]
Master Teague RB Ohio State [20]
A. J. Thomas S Western Michigan
Jake Tonges TE California
De'Montre Tuggle RB Ohio [19]

Staff
2022 Chicago Bears staff
Front office
  • Secretary of the board of directors – Virginia Halas McCaskey
  • Chairman – George McCaskey
  • President/CEO – Ted Phillips
  • 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

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Alan Williams
  • Defensive line – Travis Smith
  • Assistant defensive line – Justin Hinds
  • Linebackers – Dave Borgonzi
  • Defensive backs – James Rowe
  • Safeties – Andre Curtis
  • Assistant defensive backs – David Overstreet II
  • Defensive quality control – Ronell Williams

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of high performance – Brent Salazar
  • Strength and conditioning – Jim Arthur
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Noble Landry
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jim Mangiero

Final roster
2022 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, 13 inactive, 13 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Kansas City Chiefs W 19–14 1–0 Soldier Field Recap
2 August 18 at Seattle Seahawks W 27–11 2–0 Lumen Field Recap
3 August 27 at Cleveland Browns W 21–20 3–0 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Bears' 2022 schedule was announced on May 12.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 11 San Francisco 49ers W 19–10 1–0 Soldier Field Recap
2 September 18 at Green Bay Packers L 10–27 1–1 Lambeau Field Recap
3 September 25 Houston Texans W 23–20 2–1 Soldier Field Recap
4 October 2 at New York Giants L 12–20 2–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
5 October 9 at Minnesota Vikings L 22–29 2–3 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
6 October 13 Washington Commanders L 7–12 2–4 Soldier Field Recap
7 October 24 at New England Patriots W 33–14 3–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
8 October 30 at Dallas Cowboys L 29–49 3–5 AT&T Stadium Recap
9 November 6 Miami Dolphins L 32–35 3–6 Soldier Field Recap
10 November 13 Detroit Lions L 30–31 3–7 Soldier Field Recap
11 November 20 at Atlanta Falcons L 24–27 3–8 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
12 November 27 at New York Jets L 10–31 3–9 MetLife Stadium Recap
13 December 4 Green Bay Packers L 19–28 3–10 Soldier Field Recap
14 Bye
15 December 18 Philadelphia Eagles L 20–25 3–11 Soldier Field Recap
16 December 24 Buffalo Bills L 13–35 3–12 Soldier Field Recap
17 January 1 at Detroit Lions L 10–41 3–13 Ford Field Recap
18 January 8 Minnesota Vikings L 13–29 3–14 Soldier Field Recap
Notes:
* Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Legend:
 #  Games played with navy uniforms.
 #  Games played with white uniforms.
 #  Games played with alternate orange uniforms.
 –  Light green background indicates a victory.
 –  Light red background indicates a loss.


Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 7 3010
Bears 0 0 71219

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 2: at Green Bay Packers
Week 2: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 0 3010
Packers 3 21 0327

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 3: vs. Houston Texans
Week 3: Houston Texans at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 7 7 6020
Bears 10 3 7323

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 4: at New York Giants
Week 4: Chicago Bears at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 6 3 3012
Giants 7 7 3320

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Overcast, 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 74,044
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 5: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 5: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 7 9322
Vikings 7 14 0829

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 6: vs. Washington Commanders
Week 6: Washington Commanders at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Commanders 0 3 0912
Bears 0 0 707

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 7: at New England Patriots
Week 7: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 10 10 6733
Patriots 0 14 0014

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

This was the first time in franchise history the Bears defeated the Pats on the road.

Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 8: Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 17 6629
Cowboys 14 14 14749

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 93,767
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 9: Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 14 14035
Bears 3 14 8732

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Bears quarterback Justin Fields set an NFL single-game regular season record for most rushing yards by a Quarterback at 178 rushing yards. This record surpassed Michael Vick.[21] He also became the first QB in NFL history to throw for 3 touchdowns and have at least 150 rushing yards in 1 game and set a Bears franchise record for the longest rushing touchdown by a QB with a 61-yard touchdown run.[22] For his efforts, Fields won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9.[23]

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 10: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 7 02131
Bears 3 7 14630

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

With this loss, the Bears are the first team in NFL history to score at least 29 points in three consecutive games and lose all three. The Bears have lost to the Lions (scored 30 points), Miami Dolphins (scored 32 points) and Dallas Cowboys (scored 29 points) over the last three weeks.[24]

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 11: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 10 0724
Falcons 7 10 7327

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 69,757
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: at New York Jets
Week 12: Chicago Bears at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 3 7 0010
Jets 7 10 14031

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Rain, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,963
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 13: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 10 01828
Bears 10 6 3019

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,233
  • Referee: Scott Novak
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With this loss, the Bears no longer hold the record of most wins in NFL history, which they have had since 1921, with the Packers taking over. With the Giants and Commanders tying, the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight season and for the tenth time in 12 seasons.

Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 15: Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 10 7825
Bears 0 6 7720

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 18 °F (−8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 48,423
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With this loss, the Bears have dropped 7 straight, the 2nd longest losing streak in franchise history. Justin Fields also broke the team's single season QB rushing yards record set in 1972 by Bobby Douglass, now with 143 carries for 1,000 yards and 8 Touchdowns.

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 6 0 151435
Bears 7 3 0313

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 9 °F (−13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,929
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: at Detroit Lions
Week 17: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 10 0 0010
Lions 7 17 14341

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

The Bears lost their ninth straight, swept by Detroit for the first time since 2017, and will finish dead last in the NFC.

Week 18: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 18: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 6 10 7629
Bears 0 6 7013

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: January 8
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,007
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With this loss, the Bears have now lost seven straight home games, a new franchise record.

Division
NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Minnesota Vikings 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 424 427 W1
Detroit Lions 9 8 0 .529 5–1 7–5 453 427 W2
Green Bay Packers 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 370 371 L1
Chicago Bears 3 14 0 .176 0–6 1–11 326 463 L10

Conference
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Philadelphia Eagles East 14 3 0 .824 4–2 9–3 .474 .460 W1
2[lower-alpha 1] San Francisco 49ers West 13 4 0 .765 6–0 10–2 .417 .414 W10
3[lower-alpha 1] Minnesota Vikings North 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 .474 .425 W1
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 8 9 0 .471 4–2 8–4 .503 .426 L1
Wild cards
5 Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .507 .485 L1
6 New York Giants East 9 7 1 .559 1–4–1 4–7–1 .526 .395 L1
7[lower-alpha 2] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .462 .382 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 9 8 0 .529 5–1 7–5 .535 .451 W2
9 Washington Commanders East 8 8 1 .500 2–3–1 5–6–1 .536 .449 W1
10 Green Bay Packers North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 .524 .449 L1
11[lower-alpha 3] Carolina Panthers South 7 10 0 .412 4–2 6–6 .474 .437 W1
12[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] New Orleans Saints South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 5–7 .507 .462 L1
13[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .467 .429 W2
14 Los Angeles Rams West 5 12 0 .294 1–5 3–9 .517 .341 L2
15 Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 .529 .368 L7
16 Chicago Bears North 3 14 0 .176 0–6 1–11 .571 .480 L10
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5]
  1. San Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
  2. Seattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. Carolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
  4. New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
  5. 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. "Bears' official playoff elimination keeps up a recent franchise trend". WGN-TV. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  2. "Bears secure No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  3. "Bears trading No. 1 overall pick to Panthers for WR D.J. Moore, four draft picks". NFL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  4. Mayer, Larry (January 3, 2022). "Justin Fields dazzles again in loss to Eagles". Chicago Bears. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  5. Chicago Bears Tweeter accountr
  6. "Bears record most single-season franchise rushing yards". RSN. January 8, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  7. "NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League". NFL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  8. "Chicago Bears fire HC Matt Nagy & GM Ryan Pace". NFL. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  9. Mayer, Larry (January 27, 2022). "Bears hire Matt Eberflus as head coach". Chicago Bears. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. Mayer, Larry (February 1, 2022). "Chalk Talk: Will Bears switch to 4-3 defense?". chicagobears.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  11. "Bears hire Ryan Poles as general manager". Chicago Bears. January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  12. "Chargers Acquire Six-Time Pro Bowl Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack". Los Angeles Chargers. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  13. "Chargers Acquire Six-Time Pro Bowl Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack". March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  14. Wojton, Nick (April 30, 2022). "2022 NFL draft: Bills trade up in Round 5, select WR Khalil Shakir". USA Today.
  15. Mayer, Larry (July 26, 2021). "Roster Move: Bears trade Miller to Texans". Chicago Bears. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  16. "Texans trade up, pick Stanford DL Thomas Booker in fifth round". Houston Chronicle. April 30, 2022.
  17. Wiltfong Jr., Lester A. (April 30, 2022). "Bears trade pick 166 to the Bengals for picks 174 and 226". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  18. Peterson, Michael (April 30, 2022). "Chargers trade #254, #255 to Bears for 2023 6th-round pick". Bolts From The Blue. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  19. "Roster Moves: Bears sign six undrafted rookies". chicagobears.com. May 9, 2022.
  20. "Roster Moves: Bears sign undrafted free agents". chicagobears.com. May 6, 2022.
  21. Taylor, Ryan (November 6, 2022). "Justin Fields Breaks Record for Most QB Rushing Yards in a Game". Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  22. Podel, Garrett. "Dolphins vs. Bears score, takeaways: Tua Tagovailoa outduels Justin Fields in a game of historic performances". Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  23. Gordon, Grant (November 9, 2022). "Bears QB Justin Fields, Bengals RB Joe Mixon lead Players of the Week". National Football League. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  24. "Bears first team to lose three straight games with 29 points". RSN. November 13, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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