2022 Chicago Bears season

The 2022 season was the Chicago Bears' 103rd in the National Football League and their first under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. They failed to improve upon their 6–11 record from the previous season.
Despite starting with a 2–1 record, the Bears lost 13 of their last 14 games including a franchise-record 10-game losing streak to end the season. In Week 13, the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season and failed to improve on their 6–11 record from the previous season. With their Week 18 loss combined with a [2022 2022 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans season|Houston] win, the Bears secured the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The Bears set a franchise record with 14 losses. The Bears also failed to win a game against a divisional opponent for the third time in franchise history following the 1969 and 2017 seasons.
Despite the struggles, second-year quarterback Justin Fields had a breakout season, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and setting the Bears' single-season quarterback rushing yards record. The Bears also led the league in rushing with 3,014 yards on 558 attempts, breaking their previous single-season record of 2,974 set in 1984.

Offseason

Offseason changes

Head coach

The Chicago Bears fired fourth-year head coach Matt Nagy on January 10, 2022, who most notably led the organization to one NFC North title and two NFL Playoffs appearances among other accolades. On January 27, 2022, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was hired as the 17th head coach in franchise history. Eberflus has planned to transitioned the Bears defense scheme from a 3–4 defense to a 4–3 defense.

General manager

The Chicago Bears fired seventh-year general manager Ryan Pace on January 10, 2022, who most notably led the organization to draft Eddie Jackson, Tarik Cohen, and Mitchell Trubisky. On January 25, 2022, Kansas City Chiefs executive director of player personnel Ryan Poles was named the general manager of the Bears.

Roster changes

The Chicago Bears made several moves in order to clear salary cap space, such as trading defensive end/outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2022 second round pick and a sixth round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Draft

Draft trades

Name	Position	College	Ref.
Christian Albright	LB	Ball State
Jaylan Alexander	LB	Purdue
Jon Alexander	S	Charlotte
Chase Allen	TE	Iowa State
C. J. Avery	LB	Louisville
Amari Carter	S	Miami (FL)
Jean Delance	OT	Florida
Micah Dew-Treadway	DT	[2021 2021 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team\|Minnesota Golden Gophers football team\|Minnesota]
Allie Green IV	CB	Missouri
Cyrus Holder	WR	Duquesne
Jaylon Jones	CB	Ole Miss
Landon Lenoir	WR	Southern Illinois
Henry Litwin	WR	Slippery Rock
Antonio Ortiz	LS	TCU
Jack Sanborn	LB	Wisconsin
Savon Scarver	WR	Utah State
Kevin Shaa	WR	Liberty
Carson Taylor	DE	Northern Arizona
Master Teague	RB	Ohio State
A. J. Thomas	S	Western Michigan
Jake Tonges	TE	California
De'Montre Tuggle	RB	Ohio

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1		Kansas City Chiefs	W 19–14	1–0	Soldier Field
2		at Seattle Seahawks	W 27–11	2–0	Lumen Field
3		at Cleveland Browns	W 21–20	3–0	FirstEnergy Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

The Bears' 2022 schedule was announced on May 12.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers

With the sloppy win, the Bears started the season 1-0.

Week 7: at New England Patriots

This was the first time in franchise history the Bears defeated the Pats on the road and their first overall win over New England since 2000 snapping a 4-game losing streak. This would end up being the Bears last win until Week 5 of 2023.

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins

Bears quarterback Justin Fields set an NFL single-game regular season record for most rushing yards by a Quarterback at 178 rushing yards. This record surpassed Michael Vick. He also became the first QB in NFL history to throw for 3 touchdowns and have at least 150 rushing yards in 1 game and set a Bears franchise record for the longest rushing touchdown by a QB with a 61-yard touchdown run. For his efforts, Fields won NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9.

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

With this loss, the Bears are the first team in NFL history to score at least 29 points in three consecutive games and lose all three. The Bears have lost to the Lions, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys over the last three weeks.

Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers

With their 8th straight loss to Green Bay, the Bears no longer hold the record of most wins in NFL history, which they have had since 1921, with the Packers taking over. The loss, along with Giants and Commanders tying, the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight season and for the tenth time in 12 seasons.

Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

With this loss, the Bears have dropped 7 straight, the 2nd longest losing streak in franchise history. Justin Fields also broke the team's single season QB rushing yards record set in 1972 by Bobby Douglass, now with 143 carries for 1,000 yards and 8 Touchdowns.

Week 17: at Detroit Lions

Despite having a 10–7 lead, the Bears were held scoreless the rest of the game, allowing the Lions to score 34 unanswered points in the process. The Bears lost their ninth straight, swept by Detroit for the first time since 2017, and will finish dead last in the NFC.

Week 18: vs. Minnesota Vikings

With this loss, the Bears have now lost seven straight home games, 10 straight overall, both new franchise records. Houston's win over the Colts also ensured the Bears would finish dead last in the NFL, thus earning the #1 pick for the 2023 draft. This also marked the first time since 2017 the Bears were swept by the NFC North.