The Chicago Bears will maintain their remaining observe of 2022 on Friday afternoon in Lake Forest, then fly to Detroit to ring in 2023 with a New Year’s Day sport in opposition to the Lions at Ford Field.
At Halas Hall, it has been a very eventful calendar yr full with a regime change, a serious roster overhaul and a flurry of Justin Fields highlights. After Sunday’s sport in Detroit, a Week 18 date with the Minnesota Vikings will wrap up the season.
As the countdown to 2023′s arrival nears, right here’s our look again, in chronological order, on the ten most necessary dates of 2022 for the Bears.
Jan. 10
What occurred: The Bears fired basic supervisor Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy.
The rundown: A day after closing their 2021 season with a 31-17 loss to the Vikings to complete 6-11, Pace and Nagy exited Halas Hall for the ultimate time, fired after their once-promising union wound up caught on a disappointing observe.
A 12-4 run to the NFC North title of their first season collectively in 2018 created a wave of hope and perception. But Pace and Nagy struggled to search out methods to maintain that success and had been finished in by their collective lack of ability to unlock the offense or elevate the workforce’s quarterback play. From 2019-21, the Bears went 22-27 and, for myriad causes, switched beginning quarterbacks 10 occasions. Pace’s seven-season run as GM ended with a 48-65 regular-season file and nil playoff victories. In saying the firings of Pace and Nagy, Chairman George McCaskey additionally introduced he would take over the supervision of the brand new Bears GM — with workforce President/CEO Ted Phillips asking to maneuver away from these duties as a way to dedicate extra focus to the group’s pursuit of a brand new stadium.
Quote of observe: “I’m just a fan. I’m not a football evaluator. As a fan, what I see is a dynamic player with a lot of potential, a lot of ability, a lot of heart and a strong work ethic. We are looking for a general manager and a head coach who can develop not just the quarterback position but the talent around him, establishing a strong defense to help the quarterback and to bring the Bears to success.” — McCaskey, when requested for his evaluation of Fields
Jan. 31
What occurred: The Bears launched Ryan Poles as basic supervisor and Matt Eberflus as coach.
The rundown: After the Bears introduced in Bill Polian to grow to be the engine of the five-person search committee for a brand new GM and new coach, the Bears held interviews with 25 candidates for these positions over two weeks. They settled on Poles and Eberflus, who had been formally launched at Halas Hall.
Poles, 36, arrived after a 13-season stint climbing the ladder within the Kansas City Chiefs entrance workplace. Eberflus, 51, arrived after 13 seasons as an NFL assistant coach, together with the earlier 4 years as Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator. Both expressed pleasure for his or her alternatives and optimism about the place they might lead the Bears.
Said McCaskey: “Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus both possess the qualities we’re looking for in our team. Tough. Gritty. Smart. Opportunistic. Winners.”
Quote of observe: “We’re going to have a relentless approach to fix our weaknesses. We’re going to have great self-awareness of who we are. We’re going to solve problems with open communication and candor. And we’re going to consistently put players in positions to succeed. And the last thing, the most important piece, is we’re going to take the North and never give it back.” — Poles
March 10
What occurred: The Bears traded standout move rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers six days earlier than the NFL’s new league yr started.
The rundown: Mack’s arrival through commerce on Labor Day weekend in 2018 grew to become a serious catalyst for the Bears’ run to the NFC North championship. But he exited Chicago in a lot quieter trend, dealt in trade for a 2022 second-round decide — which the Bears later used to pick security Jaquan Brisker — plus a 2023 sixth-rounder.
While Poles remained hesitant to make use of the phrase “rebuild” as he started his roster reshaping, his actions spoke volumes. Trading Mack was the primary indicator that the Bears had been shifting their aggressive focus towards a future they imagine could be brighter.
It’s not that Mack wasn’t productive as a Bear. Over 4 seasons, he recorded 36 sacks and compelled 14 fumbles. But he battled a sequence of accidents over his remaining three seasons, wound up on injured reserve with a left foot harm for the ultimate two months of the 2021 season, turned 31 in February and would have had a salary-cap hit north of $30 million for 2022 had the Bears stored him.
Quote of observe: “There are a lot of things with analytics, age, play time (that go into it). Then there’s a timing mechanism as well. If you wait (to trade him), what does that look like? If you do it now, what does that look like? We just thought right now it would allow the Bears to have more ammunition to add more players.” — Poles
March 18
What occurred: The Bears rescinded a three-year, $40 million contract provide to Larry Ogunjobi after failing the free-agent defensive deal with on his bodily examination.
The rundown: Poles made his first huge swing in free company by pursuing Ogunjobi and reaching phrases on a deal price $26.35 million assured. Poles believed the 305-pound Ogunjobi may grow to be an engine for the Bears’ defensive rebuilding efforts.
But 4 days after agreeing to phrases on that deal, Ogunjobi didn’t move his bodily examination. He suffered a foot harm within the Cincinnati Bengals’ wild-card-round win over the Las Vegas Raiders in January and wanted surgical procedure shortly after. The restoration progress wasn’t adequate for the Bears to finalize the deal, sending each events in new instructions.
The Bears signed Justin Jones as their Plan B the identical day. Ogunjobi ultimately signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June. It was an unlucky twist as Poles put collectively his first free-agency class with Jones, Lucas Patrick, Nick Morrow, Byron Pringle and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Quote of observe: “We have a process. I’m going to listen to our doctors. I’m going to look at the evidence and go with what I think is right for the organization. The toughest thing I’ve had to go through — it was emotionally draining — was to deny someone an opportunity when you have this verbal agreement. That tore me to pieces. I sat in the back of the car and I had a conversation with the kid and let him know what my job was and from my perspective what we had to do. That was hard. Really hard. Because I was excited about him.” — Poles
Aug. 9
What occurred: Amid a tense contract standoff, linebacker Roquan Smith made a commerce request.
The rundown: Smith’s need to signal a long-term extension with the Bears included requests that he be rewarded as one of many league’s finest off-the-ball linebackers and one of many sport’s premier defenders. His hopes of touchdown a landmark cope with an average-annual worth close to $20 million and/or a complete price of $100 million or extra, although, led to negotiation stress when Poles and the Bears weren’t keen to grant Smith’s needs.
What started with some minor friction — Smith selected to stage a “hold in” for the primary 3½ weeks of coaching camp — escalated when Smith used NFL insider Ian Rapoport to tweet a 345-word statement during which Smith accused the Bears of refusing to barter in good religion and “trying to take advantage of me.” Most considerably, Smith requested to be traded.
Smith and Poles ultimately agreed to bury the hatchet — at the very least quickly. The linebacker returned to observe Aug. 20, and Poles praised him for his professionalism and preparation focus. But the pressure on the connection was simple. And with neither facet keen to construct a bridge towards a contract compromise, Smith’s requested exit ultimately got here in late October.
Quote of observe: “My feelings for Roquan haven’t changed at all. He’s a very good football player. I love the kid. I love what he’s done on the field, which makes me really disappointed with where we’re at right now. I thought we’d be in a better situation, to be completely honest with you.” — Poles
Sept. 2
What occurred: In an interview with The Athletic, workforce Presidentand CEO Ted Phillips introduced his plans to retire in February 2023.
The rundown: With the blessing of McCaskey, Phillips cemented his resolution to retire after this season, signaling the tip of an period during which he served within the Bears entrance workplace for 39 years, together with the final 23 as president and CEO. Phillips, 65, expressed satisfaction within the group’s efforts to rebuild Soldier Field within the early 2000s and in addition vowed to proceed engaged on the Bears’ exploration of a possible new stadium in Arlington Heights.
Quote of observe: “The Achilles’ heel of the Bears for many decades has been to have the right quarterback in place who is not only talented but can lead and raise the talent level around him. In my opinion, having the head coach or general manager report differently would not have changed any of that.” — Phillips, to The Athletic
Sept. 11
What occurred: The Bears opened the Eberflus period with a rain-soaked 19-10 upset of the San Francisco 49ers.
The rundown: In the second, the season-opening victory felt like a potential catalyst to the beginning of one thing shocking. The Bears performed with focus, unity and endurance and scored the sport’s remaining 19 factors to topple a powerful 49ers workforce that continues to be a Super Bowl contender.
The greatest spotlight was Fields’ unbelievable off-script 51-yard landing move to Dante Pettis within the third quarter, the play that ignited the Bears’ comeback. The snapshot second — and maybe of your entire season — was the Slip ‘N Slide celebration after the offense’s remaining victory formation kneel-down throughout a torrential downpour that turned Soldier Field right into a swimming pool. The enjoyable of that second and the great thing about the photographs captured will probably be cemented as a part of Fields’ legacy.
Quote of observe: “Man, this feels good. Nobody is surprised inside this locker room. Everyone on the outside is way more surprised. We know what we’ve got. We’re going to surprise a lot of people with the way we work. No one works harder than us. And the mindset we have with what we’re building is something special.” — Bears security Eddie Jackson
Oct. 24
What occurred: The Bears went to Foxborough, Mass., and blew out Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots 33-14.
The rundown: At the time, it felt like a real signature win, a dominant efficiency throughout all three phases in opposition to a revered opponent on “Monday Night Football.” The victory appeared to light up the Bears as a workforce on the rise. Eleven nights after their demoralizing 12-7 residence loss to the Washington Commanders, the Bears regrouped, made changes and went nuts in prime time at Gillette Stadium.
After Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe got here off the bench to guide two first half landing drives that gave his workforce a 14-10 lead, the Bears responded. And by no means stopped responding. The Bears outscored the Patriots 23-0 over the ultimate 35 minutes. Rookie defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Brisker contributed interceptions to a three-takeaway evening. Fields was turned unfastened on the next quantity of designed runs and contributed 179 passing yards, 82 speeding yards and two complete touchdowns to the blowout.
Who would have ever recognized that might be the Bears’ final victory of the calendar yr, previous what’s now an eight-game shedding streak?
Quote of observe: “Our motto this week was ‘finish everything.’ I’m proud of everybody with the way they prepared this week and the way they performed today.” — Fields
Oct. 26
What occurred: The Bears traded move rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The rundown: Two days after their most spectacular win of the season — that 33-14 throttling of the Patriots — the Bears once more demonstrated their concentrate on the longer term by dealing a three-time Pro Bowl participant and the franchise’s single-season sacks file holder. Quinn, 32, had contributed just one sack within the first seven video games of 2022 and wasn’t going to stay with the Bears past this season. So Poles’ transfer to deal him every week earlier than the commerce deadline in trade for a fourth-round decide was sensible and logical, even when it shook the locker room.
It additionally put Poles in a buying and selling mindset. The following week, he additionally shipped Smith off, receiving a second-round decide again from the Baltimore Ravens whereas dealing the Bears’ 2023 Round 2 decide to the Pittsburgh Steelers for receiver Chase Claypool.
Quote of observe: “I’ve talked about that a lot — the locker room and what it means and the culture. It sucks to mess with that, to be completely honest with you. But again, my job is to do what’s best for this organization, not only now but in the future. I felt like that was the best move for us to make.” — Poles on buying and selling Quinn
Nov. 6
What occurred: In the Bears’ 35-32 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Fields rushed for 178 yards, a single-game regular-season NFL file by a quarterback.
The rundown: On his strategy to turning into simply the third quarterback in NFL historical past to hurry for 1,000 yards in a season, Fields delivered his greatest explosion in opposition to the Dolphins, breaking Michael Vick’s 20-year file of 173 speeding yards. Fields’ greatest run was a 61-yard landing scramble, a little bit of off-script magic that electrified Soldier Field.
Three days later, he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Four days after that, Fields rushed for 147 yards in a house loss to the Detroit Lions. It was all a part of an entertaining, exhilarating and record-setting stretch during which Fields introduced he had grow to be one of many sport’s most harmful playmakers.
Fields went on to set the Bears’ franchise file for speeding yards in a season by a quarterback. He set an NFL profession file with three landing runs of at the very least 50 yards — one thing he completed in a four-game span. He established himself because the Bears’ simple franchise quarterback and the nucleus of what the workforce will attempt to construct round.
Quote of observe: “It was like, ‘Holy cow!’ When he took off past me, it was pretty nice. I don’t know if there’s anybody else in the league that can do that. Really. That was pretty special.” — Tight finish Cole Kmet on Fields’ 61-yard landing run
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Source: www.bostonherald.com