The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record and a 10-game losing streak. Despite finishing with the worst record in the league, there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the team heading into 2023.
Chicago’s offense is expected to make strides this season, where quarterback Justin Fields will be looking to take a step forward in a pivotal Year 3 with an upgraded supporting cast around him. That includes the new additions of wide receivers DJ Moore and Tyler Scott, running backs Roschon Johnson and D’Onta Foreman, offensive linemen Darnell Wright and Nate Davis, as well as tight end Robert Tonyan.
With that in mind, our Bears Wire staff is sharing their biggest question marks on offense ahead of the 2023 season.
Alyssa Barbieri: Will the Chase Claypool trade prove to be a win?
Claypool has been catching a lot of heat since he was traded to the Bears last November and failed to serve an immediate contribution. The hope is that changes with an offseason under his belt and a chance to develop his chemistry with Justin Fields. Unfortunately, Claypool suffered a setback in the form of a soft tissue injury that held him out of the majority of the team’s offseason program.
Heading into the 2023 season, the expectation is Claypool will have a significant role in the passing attack. The addition of DJ Moore as the top option in the passing game should help open things up for Claypool, who’s in a contract year. Where things currently stand, the Bears’ trade for Claypool is a bust, but the hope is Claypool has a chance to thrive in a passing attack that should make significant strides in 2023. If he does, the Bears will have a tough choice to make between extending Claypool or Darnell Mooney.
Brendan Sugrue: Who will emerge as the top running back?
It’s been a few years since the Bears had this much uncertainty at their running back position heading into a season. With former starter David Montgomery departing for Detroit, the Bears have three players who could conceivably emerge as the lead back when Week 1 rolls around: Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, and Roschon Johnson. Herbert will likely get the first crack as the most-tenured back on the team, and he’s earned that chance. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry last year and rushed for 731 yards on just 129 carries. Herbert was a dynamic runner when he got his carries, but his struggles with blocking limited his opportunities.
Foreman and Johnson are the newcomers and will get their chances as well. Foreman signed a one-year deal in free agency after a banner year with the Carolina Panthers where he ran for 914 yards and five touchdowns. He still has plenty of tread left on the tires too, totaling just 443 carries in his career. Johnson, meanwhile, could be the future at the position after he was drafted in the fourth round out of Texas. He’s already garnered plenty of praise and could make an immediate impact.
It’s a deep position for the Bears and these three players certainly will play as part of a rotation to start the year out. But someone is going to wind up pulling away from the others. It’s anyone’s guess at this point.
Ryan Fedrau: How much has Justin Fields’ air attack improved?
Last season, Justin Fields was the MVP of the Bears’ offense, but had his struggles in the air. He ran the ball well, but was inconsistent in the passing game, as it took him until mid-October until he found his footing as a passer. Still, there are many question marks with Fields. Has he taken that next step or will he hold Chicago back this season? The weapons are there, the offensive line is there, and the team is improving — it’s now in the hands (in the arm) of Fields to take that next step.
Nate Atkins: Which wide receiver takes a step back?
The additions of wide receivers D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool, Tyler Scott, and tight end Robert Tonyan excite fans about Chicago’s offensive potential. But in a run-heavy offense, how many balls are available for guys to catch?
Cole Kmet led the Bears in targets last year with 69, but Moore and Claypool will need opportunities, too. In their careers, Moore averages 120 targets, and Claypool averages 70 targets. Add in Darnell Mooney, and that’s another 100 targets.
If Justin Fields only averages 20 attempts per game, someone’s production will decrease. It seems unlikely it would be Moore who was traded for the first overall pick. It also seems unlikely it would be Claypool, who was swapped for a second-round pick.
So either the Bears are opening up the playbook and letting Fields throw the ball 25-30 times per game, or someone will be the odd man out.
