The success of the Chicago Bears 2022 season hinges on this one area
When we look at the 2022 NFL season for the Chicago Bears, I don’t think anyone truly believes this team is a Super Bowl contender. The Bears roster is full of too many “what-ifs” and unknowns. The coaching staff is completely knew with what seems like every coach moving up to a level they have yet to coach before — or it has been quite a long time since they wore the same title.
Ryan Poles is a first-time general manager. Matt Eberflus is a first-time head coach. Luke Getsy is a first-time offensive coordinator. Now, it’s a matter of determining if this group of coaches and front-office executives can mesh well enough to put a solid product on the field — not necessarily a playoff team, but a competitive team. This season is all about growth and steps toward a better 2023. Ryan Poles has cleaned house in an attempt to build up a roster he sees fit.
We have already seen a major change as he traded away Khalil Mack and cut some of the dead weight in guys like Eddie Goldman, Danny Trevathan and Nick Foles. The change we need to see from the Chicago Bears though is a shift on offense. For too long we have seen this team struggle offensively. It would be nice to see Justin Fields develop and the offense average more than 21 points per game. The window will need to start opening in 2023, but for a successful season in 2022, the Chicago Bears will need to lean on their running game.
The Chicago Bears running game needs to be the catalyst for this offense
I’m already on record stating that I believe the defense can be a top-10 defense. They finished ranked 13th in defensive DVOA last year and the secondary has been vastly upgraded. We are all well aware that a decent defense doesn’t always equate to a successful season in the NFL. It may win championships, but it doesn’t always help get a team there.
I want to see the offense start to make a shift and that will be dependent on the running game. Speculation (and confirmation) is that Luke Getsy would run a version of the outside zone running scheme the 49ers use under Kyle Shanahan. We should expect to see a heavy dose of both David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. If these two can be the identity of the offense, while Justin FIelds finds ways to connect on a few big-time plays each week, then the Bears should have mild success in 2022.
Obviously, the team cannot become too one-dimensional. However, with the offensive line in flux, at least the running back group is extremely solid. As the season progresses, a strong running game cannot only lead to a couple of wins here and there, but it could also give Justin Fields time to continue to develop. Without this, the lazy national analysts will probably be right about where the Bears finish in 2022 — dead last.