Rising From The Ashes: Chicago Bears’ Resurgence With Justin Fields And A Reinvented Roster
As the 2022 season came to a close, the Bears roster was in shambles. A league’s worst record of 3-14, several key players injured and doubt among fans as to the direction this team would take heading into the 2023 season. Fans and writers also questioned the prospect that Justin Fields would lead the Bears offense. After all, with the first overall pick in for this year’s draft there were options.
When a team makes major changes in the front office and the coaching staff, all too often major roster changes follow. When Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus were both hired before the 2022 season, the chatter started immediately.
Would Fields be their Quarterback moving forward?
Ryan Poles answered that question emphatically this Spring. He traded the first pick in the draft to Carolina for a true WR1. With Carolina’s first round pick, Darnell Wright was selected and immediately inserted as the starting right tackle.
Major additions to the offense at every position group with one goal in mind, giving Fields the weapons and protection to excel. The offensive line has been totally revamped. As camp opens, Braxton Jones is the only player to line up in the same position on the OL that started week one last year.
Robert Tonyan was signed in the off-season to give Fields a speedy TE to help open up the middle of the field, forcing more single coverage to the edge receivers.
It is there, at the wide receiver position that there are concerns. On paper, the WR room appears to be deeper than any time in recent Bears history. Some have written this is the strongest position group on the roster. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool and drafted rookie Tyler Scott sit atop the depth chart, and all possess one thing in common.
Speed.
If all are healthy Justin Fields has four speedy receivers to take the top off opposing defenses. The deep ball is a throw Fields loves, and his accuracy on long throws is a major strength. The passing game requires timing. One thing that plagued the passing game last year was timing. Whether it be Fields poor footwork, or receivers not running routes correctly. Lastly, each receiver doesn’t run a pass route the same way, so training camp is used to hone every aspect of the passing attack.
Darnell Mooney has not returned to the practice field since he was put on IR last year. Without any specifics as to his recovery, Matt Eberflus, during his press conferences this spring, has only said he “hopes” Mooney will be ready for camp, which begins later this month.
Chase Claypool, like Mooney is entering a contract year and his status also remains unclear. Claypool was idle for most spring activities. Despite public endorsements from Fields and Eberflus, rumors soon surfaced about Claypool’s dedication. All we have been told is Chase has been held out of workouts due to lingering soft tissue soreness.
The importance of seeing both Mooney and Claypool on the practice field when camp opens in three weeks is crucial. In order for this offense to work when the Packers arrive on opening day, the passing game must be able to work out most of the kinks in the preseason.