Choosing MVP, Breakout Participant of the 12 months and extra
The Chicago Bears wrapped their 2022 season with a 3-14 report, which culminated in a 10-game dropping streak.
Whereas Chicago completed with the worst report within the league, there are causes to be optimistic in regards to the future. Not solely have they got the No. 1 decide within the 2023 NFL draft and round $118 million in wage cap house, however they’ve their quarterback in Justin Fields.
As we glance to shut the web page on the 2022 season, our Bears Wire employees share their picks for our Finish of 12 months Awards, together with MVP, Offense and Defensive Gamers of the 12 months, Rookie of the 12 months, Comeback Participant of the 12 months, Breakout Participant of the 12 months and Most Disappointing Participant.
Most Invaluable Participant
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Alyssa Barbieri: QB Justin Fields
There’s actually no competitors in terms of Justin Fields, who really managed to maintain issues thrilling throughout a 3-14 season. Heading into this season, the hope was Fields would take a step ahead in his growth. However I don’t suppose anybody anticipated him to emerge as one of many NFL’s most electrical gamers, the place he was setting data virtually on a weekly foundation popping out of the mini-bye week. He set the single-season report for speeding yards by a QB (178) and fell simply 64 yards shy of breaking Lamar Jackson’s single-season speeding report. With out Fields, this depressing season would’ve been torturous.
Brendan Sugrue: QB Justin Fields
Justin Fields was essentially the most thrilling, electrical, and impactful member of the Bears final season. He single-handedly stored the staff in video games due to his unimaginable skill to make one thing out of nothing and hold performs alive. He’s simply the third QB in NFL historical past to hurry for 1,000 yards and broke a number of data final 12 months. Sure, the Bears have been the worst staff within the league report sensible. They’d have been the worst in each different offensive class with out Fields.
Ryan Fedrau: QB Justin Fields
It’s so onerous to choose anybody else however Justin Fields because the staff’s MVP. If he didn’t play in any respect this season, they doubtless would have gone 0-17. Fields handed for 17 touchdowns and a couple of,242 yards in his 15 begins this season.
Nate Atkins: QB Justin Fields
Though the Bears had the Twenty third-best offense within the NFL, with out Justin Fields’ legs, it simply would’ve been the worst within the league. Regardless of an efficient passing sport, Fields was ready to make use of his legs to build up the second-most speeding yards for a quarterback in NFL historical past. The mix of his passing and working led to three,385 complete yards and 25 touchdowns.
Offensive Participant of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: QB Justin Fields
Let’s be trustworthy, Fields carried the offense on his again this season. And he was their offense. It was evident within the two video games he missed attributable to damage (vs. Jets and Vikings), the place it was simply brutal to look at. In the meantime, Fields had this similar offense averaging 30 factors per sport at one level. Fields was an enormous purpose why Chicago maintained the NFL’s prime speeding assault all through the 2022 season, the place groups simply didn’t have a solution for his elite velocity and athleticism.
Brendan Sugrue: QB Justin Fields
Fields WAS the Bears offense for a lot of the 12 months. He did all of it, whether or not it was designed quarterback runs to choose up first downs or firing deep passes with poor safety. For a similar causes he’s the staff’s MVP, he’s clearly the offensive participant of the 12 months.
Ryan Fedrau: QB Justin Fields
There wasn’t a extra explosive participant on offense than Fields. The truth is, his 1,143 speeding yards and eight touchdowns in 15 video games was the one thrilling a part of the offense this season. When Fields missed time, the staff couldn’t even rating, not to mention transfer the ball. He was arms down the staff’s greatest offensive participant.
Nate Atkins: QB Justin Fields
Regardless of the criticism of the second-year quarterback as a passer, Fields improved as a full-time starter for the Bears. His completion share improved to 60.4%, his interception share declined, and his air yards per try elevated.
Defensive Participant of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: S Eddie Jackson
Nobody benefited extra from the addition of Matt Eberflus than Eddie Jackson, who bounced again in an enormous manner in 2022. Regardless of lacking the ultimate 5 video games of the season, Jackson led the Bears with 4 interceptions, after not notching an interception within the earlier two seasons, and two compelled fumbles. He was paying homage to his playmaking self from his first couple of seasons within the league.
Brendan Sugrue: S Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson had an unimaginable season previous to his foot damage later within the 12 months. He led the Bears in interceptions with 4, whereas additionally forcing two compelled fumbles, and introduced stability to the secondary. As principally the final man standing from the previous regime, Jackson made positive to point out he may nonetheless be counted on to make performs.
Ryan Fedrau: S Jaquan Brisker
With the trades of Roquan Smith, Khalil Mack, and Robert Quinn, the Bears protection was at an obstacle by the top of the commerce deadline. Jaquan Brisker was one of many gamers who stepped up on protection this season, with 104 tackles, one interception, two cross breakups, one compelled fumble and led the staff with 4.0 sacks as a rookie. What a fantastic draft decide by Ryan Poles within the second spherical.
Nate Atkins: S Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson led the staff in interceptions (4), compelled fumbles (2), and made a return to particular groups, though not as a returner. Because the oldest and longest-tenured Bear on the protection, Jackson appeared to embrace a management position and mentored rookie security Jaquan Brisker, who had a fantastic 12 months.
Rookie of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: S Jaquan Brisker
It was evident from the beginning that Jaquan Brisker was going to be a key contributor on protection, and he stepped up in an enormous manner as accidents ravaged the secondary. Brisker was second in tackles (110), together with 5 for a loss, and in addition led the staff with 4.0 sacks. Brisker was the right complement to Jackson, who was capable of get again to his pure free security place and thrive.
Brendan Sugrue: LB Jack Sanborn
There’s no flawed reply between Jack Sanborn and Jaquan Brisker so I’ll go together with the man who got here out of nowhere and did a heck of a job changing among the finest linebackers within the league. Sanborn stepped up in an enormous manner when Roquan Smith was dealt, notching double-digit tackles in three of his remaining 4 full video games. When he acquired snaps, Sanborn was essentially the most constant participant on protection.
Ryan Fedrau: S Jaquan Brisker
As talked about because the defensive participant of the 12 months, Jaquan Brisker can be the Bears’ rookie of the 12 months. I could make an argument for Jack Sanborn, however he didn’t play the entire season. That being mentioned, the nod goes to Brisker. Brisker has a vibrant future and can be a fantastic piece to the Bears rebuild on protection. He’s an thrilling younger participant. What a steal for the Bears.
Nate Atkins: S Jaquan Brisker
The Bears’ second-round decide was second on the staff in tackles with 104, together with 4 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. Brisker was third amongst all rookies in complete tackles, and his presence as a field security unlocked Eddie Jackson, permitting him to return to his Professional Bowl ranges.
Comeback Participant of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: RG Teven Jenkins
Jackson is the simplest reply right here, so I’m going with another person who made fairly the comeback in his second 12 months: Teven Jenkins. It’s been fairly a rollercoaster for Jenkins, who missed most of his rookie season attributable to a again damage and whose future was doubtful final offseason. However Jenkins making the change to proper guard was the perfect factor that occurred to Chicago’s offensive line. Jenkins, who discovered a brand new residence inside, was the Bears’ greatest offensive lineman and possibly the one one who’s assured a beginning job heading into 2023.
Brendan Sugrue: S Eddie Jackson
The turnaround Jackson had from his final couple years to this one was extraordinary. The addition of Brisker allowed Jackson to play extra of a ballhawking security as soon as once more, however he nonetheless seemed rejuvenated following hardships each on and off the sphere. Whereas all hope appeared misplaced this time final 12 months, Jackson discovered new life with the Bears.
Ryan Fedrau: TE Cole Kmet
FINALLY, Cole Kmet confirmed up. Fifty catches for 544 yards and 7 touchdowns, a profession excessive. Kmet and Fields have the potential to have a superb connection for years to return. If they will take issues to the following stage in 2023, the sky’s the restrict.
Nate Atkins: S Eddie Jackson
After two years with out an interception, the Bears’ defensive employees allowed Jackson to return to deep security, a place the place he’s comfy. Chicago was rewarded by transferring Jackson, who turned in 4 interceptions, his most since 2018. The sixth-year participant additionally had 80 tackles and had the second-fewest missed tackles in his profession.
Breakout Participant of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: TE Cole Kmet
That is the Cole Kmet we have been all hoping to see throughout his first two seasons, and all it took was an sufficient play caller to assist put it collectively. Kmet was a vibrant spot in an in any other case brutal passing assault, the place he led all cross catchers in receptions (50), yards (544) and touchdowns (7). He was Fields’ most dependable receiver, and he made a powerful case for a contract extension heading into the offseason.
Brendan Sugrue: RG Teven Jenkins
Teven Jenkins went from a person with no place in August to being the perfect lineman on the staff in November. Jenkins moved from deal with to protect in his second season, however excelled inside. He had the best PFF grade of any offensive lineman on the staff (80.7) and was an absolute mauler when he was allowed to constantly play. Jenkins broke out in 2022 and his future is vibrant.
Ryan Fedrau: S Eddie Jackson
For me, I used to be glad to see Eddie Jackson bounce again the best way he did in 2022. Jackson had 4 interceptions, 2 compelled fumbles, and 80 tackles through the season. This was an enormous turnaround in comparison with the Eddie Jackson in 2019.
Nate Atkins: TE Cole Kmet
With 50 receptions for 544 yards and 7 touchdowns, Kmet had his breakout 12 months. The Notre Dame product set profession highs in yards per reception (10.9), catch price (72.5%), and touchdowns (7). He added a speeding landing to his totals and was the lone vibrant spot for Bears cross catchers.
Most Disappointing Participant of the 12 months
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Alyssa Barbieri: OL Lucas Patrick
Lucas Patrick was alleged to deliver stability to the middle place, which is why he was my favourite free-agent addition earlier than the season. Sadly, accidents marred his first season with the Bears, together with a damaged thumb that stored him at guard till Week 7. However when Patrick lastly acquired his probability at middle, he suffered a season-ending foot damage simply 10 performs in. Only a full disappointment, whether or not it was accidents or his inconsistent play.
Brendan Sugrue: OL Lucas Patrick
Lucas Patrick was signed final offseason to be the staff’s new beginning middle, giving the Bears a greater anchor on the inside of the offensive line. He performed simply 10 snaps on the place for the entire season. Patrick’s thumb damage compelled the Bears to play him at guard, the place he was ineffective. After they lastly moved him to middle, he suffered a season-ending foot damage. That led to the Bears taking part in Sam Mustipher all 12 months lengthy. Whether or not it was poor play or unavailability, Patrick was a colossal disappointment.
Ryan Fedrau: WR Chase Claypool
He isn’t the worst participant on the staff however Chase Claypool was actually essentially the most disappointing of you contemplating his compensation. The Bears gave up their second-round decide, (No. 32) which is actually like a first-round decide as a result of the Dolphins must forfeit their first-round decide this season, for Claypool. His stat line: 14 catches, 140 yards, 0 touchdowns. One thing has to alter this low season or else this can be checked out as one of many worst strikes in Ryan Poles’ younger profession because the staff’s GM.
Nate Atkins: DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
The Bears’ defensive employees introduced Muhammad in from Indianapolis after his breakout season. Nonetheless, after signing a two-year take care of the Bears, he turned in a single sack and one deal with for loss. Muhammad’s arrival delayed the event of final 12 months’s breakout star Trevis Gipson. By way of the primary 4 video games, Gipson acquired lower than 50% of the defensive snaps in favor of Muhammad. However regardless of fewer alternatives, he turned in 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss, outperforming and finally splitting reps with coach Eberflus’ man.
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