Report Card: Bears Position Rankings after loss to Bucs |
The Bears began this season with heightened expectations after they finished with a league-worst 3-14 and traded the No. 1 overall pick in a deal to acquire DJ Moore and draft capital. The Bears added exponentially to the offensive line and the defense and were widely anticipating a significant improvement in 2023.
However, it got off to a rough start last week against Green Bay, which continued in week two in Tampa. The Bears fell to the Buccaneers 27-17 in Tampa Bay on Sunday. It’s time for us to hand out some week two grades: QUARTERBACK C Justin Fields was the Bears QB on Sunday and the team's leading passer against Tampa. Fields was 16-29 for 211 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing. Although he only mustered up three yards on the ground. Once again, he was under heavy pressure, getting sacked six times. Fields was not special, but he was far from terrible. He needs to improve if the Bears want to get where they want to go. RUNNING BACKS D Khalil Herbert led the way in a backfield that added former Panther D’onte Foreman (a healthy scratch) and rookie Roschon Johnson. Herbert led the way in terms of touches, with seven carries and one catch for 58 yards. The rookie Johnson had four carries and two catches for 42 total yards. The Bears were the league’s top rushing offense a year ago; expect them to involve this unit continually. RECEIVERS B This unit was supposed to take one of the most significant steps from last season to this one, and it was much better. Chase Claypool had three catches for 36 yards and a TD. DJ Moore had six catches for 104 yards, which was nice to see. Darnell Mooney was the group's star last week and was without a grab on Sunday. This group needs to be better in the coming weeks. TIGHT ENDS C Highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was average. Kmet had four grabs for 38 yards and was neither dynamic nor detrimental in the loss. Robert Tonyan was targeted as well. OFFENSIVE LINE F Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line was horrid in week two. Justin Fields was under heavy pressure, which resulted in six sacks. The line also struggled to open up holes in the run game. A good Bears season is dependent on this group improving. DEFENSIVE LINE D The defensive line was poor in stopping the run and generating pressure in the passing game. The Bears did not generate even one lone sack in this unit’s disappointing outing. LINEBACKERS B No Roquan Smith headlining this group, but they are still the defense’s strengths. New additions T. J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds combined for 28 tackles. They will remain the base of this Bears defense. SECONDARY D Baker Mayfield looked like Tom Brady in his first start against the Bears, which can be attributed to the Bears' poor performance out of the secondary. Kyler Gordon suffered an injury last week, Eddie Jackson looked lazy, and Jaylon Johnson was ineffective. Jaquan Brisker was solid on the field, but it was not enough to save this unit’s grade. The Bears were gashed for over 300 passing yards. SPECIAL TEAMS B Nothing special here. Cairo Santos was 1/1 on field goals and made his PATs, and Trenton Gill got one of his five punts inside the 20. PLAY CALLING F The second game of the second season of the Matt Eberflus era was embarrassing for the play-calling department. Either the organization has no trust in Justin Fields, or they have no idea what he can do — and both are an issue. We’ll see if it turns in the coming weeks, but I am tired of screen passes and lateral moving runs. This offense needs to get downfield. The Bears play Kansas City this week and will try to beat the odds to get their first win.
