The Chicago Bears haven’t had a top 10 offense since 2013. They’ve only done it twice since 2000. That should tell you how inept this organization has been at building units that can move the ball and score points. For the first time, it feels like they might be moving in the right direction. GM Ryan Poles had a productive offseason, improving the talent and depth on that side of the ball at every position. On paper, at least. Fans have heard optimistic outlooks before and ended up disappointed.
So it’s time to put the money on the table. Everybody looks at statistical production as a sign of whether players were successful or not in a given season. So here is a complete projection for how the Bears’ offense will do in 2023.
The Chicago Bears should see considerable progress this year.
- Justin Fields – 3,974 yards passing, 25 TDs, 11 INTs, 615 yards rushing, 5 TDs
This feels like it has to be his year. Fields is far more familiar with the offensive system now. His head shouldn’t be swimming anymore. The Bears made an effort to improve his protection. Darnell Wright and Nate Davis bolster the right side while Teven Jenkins takes over at left guard, allowing Cody Whitehair to reclaim the center spot. Add a far deeper array of weapons, and Fields should be able to post far better numbers in 2023, primarily through the air. Everything is there. All he has to do is seize it.
Rushing
- Khalil Herbert – 712 yards rushing, 7 TDs, 50 yards receiving
- D’Onta Foreman – 760 yards rushing, 3 TDs, 50 yards receiving
- Roschon Johnson – 360 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 354 yards receiving
Losing David Montgomery was unfortunate, but the Bears don’t look any weaker at running back. Foreman was quite effective in Carolina last year. He can replace what Monty brought. He and Herbert should form a nice 1-2 punch. The big new wrinkle is Johnson. While he may not be featured in the running game, his receiving skills and pass-protecting prowess will be involved early.
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Receiving
- D.J. Moore – 75 catches for 1,140 yards and 5 TDs
- Darnell Mooney – 56 catches for 856 yards and 4 TDs
- Chase Claypool – 52 catches for 589 yards and 7 TDs
- Velus Jones – 10 catches for 120 yards and 1 TD
- Tyler Scott – 8 catches for 103 yards and 1 TD
The Chicago Bears have more speed and explosiveness than ever before at wide receiver. Nobody changes the outlook more than D.J. Moore. He’s been a 1,000-yard machine for the past four years. Mooney will also put together another solid season, giving defenses fits with his vertical ability. While Claypool won’t be a yards producer, his size and catch radius will play a factor in the red zone. Jones and Scott will be deep threats that Fields hits for the occasional big play.
- Cole Kmet – 49 catches for 512 yards and 5 TDs
- Robert Tonyan – 25 catches for 200 yards and 2 TDs
Kmet played his best season in 2022 for the Bears. While he won’t evolve into Travis Kelce, his productivity remains mostly steady this year, cracking 500 yards with another five touchdowns. Tonyan brings added value as a primary reserve that is a far bigger presence in the passing game that he gets credit for. Tight ends may not be the feature targets in this offense, but defenses will ignore them at their own peril.
Bears are an improved team that still needs a top center and dangerous defensive ends.
If they stop the run, they’ll be tough to beat. And if Fields does not perform as expected, then it’s time for Williams from USC!
Tonkaman I agree generally but remember Hurts was out 2-3 games last year. I also agree that Scott will have a bigger impact. I don’t think its a stretch to say Claypool will as well.
I’ll be happy with JF1 getting between 3500 and 3700 yds passing. 25 TD’s in the air is about right. Add some rushing TD’s and he’s hovering near 30. Otherwise, I agree with most of the others except for Roschon and Scott. I think their numbers will be higher. I can see Roschon become the no. 2 RB by mid-season. Maybe even the no. 1. I really think he’s that good. Not to mention he is by far the best pass blocker in the RB room. For Scott, defenses won’t be able to ignore the underneath routes. Not with DJ… Read more »
@jrburns.. love the optimism, and would be thrilled if you are right. But no way this team makes a leap from 3 wins to 10. This roster is not that good yet. I’d say a jump to 7 wins is possible, at the very best. The NFC North is a very good division, and the Bears are still the weakest roster of the 4 teams. Not by much, but they are. I will be very very happy to be proven wrong on this.
GhostTomahawk yes I am high but the Bears absolutely will NOT suck and WILL get AT LEAST 10 wins this year