5 Takeaways from Bears’ Week 15 loss to Eagles

The Chicago Bears played above their weight class in Week 15’s showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. No one expected much of a game, but, in the famous words of ESPN personality Chris Berman, “that’s why they play the game.”

Quarterback Justin Fields willed the Bears to a competitive four quarters. Sure, Chicago lost the game, 25-20, but they gave the NFC’s top team everything they could handle.

Here are the five biggest takeaways from the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Bears always have a chance with Justin Fields

Justin Fields has made one very clear in 2022: as long as he’s on the field, the Bears have a chance to win every game they play.

Fields hasn’t been perfect during his second season in the league, but his week-over-week improvement and historic pace as a runner has the arrow pointing way (way!) up for the Bears as the offseason inches closer.

Fields ended Week 15 with 152 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and a team-high 95 rushing yards. He became the third quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season, joining Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson in the exclusive fraternity.

Offensive line enters discussion as team’s biggest offseason need

The Chicago Bears offensive line was downright atrocious in pass protection against a tough Eagles defensive line. It was a mismatch entering the game, but the fact a group of five professionals couldn’t provide Fields with consistent protection at any point in the game was concerning.

More door kickin’ for @Jay_MostWanted!#PHIvsCHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/m0ckupsIUp

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 18, 2022

Chicago surrendered six sacks.

Josh Sweat, smooth on the Texas stunt
gueard way to slow on swtich #DaBears #FlyEaglesFly #PHIvsCHI Bears Eagles pic.twitter.com/ZrLspBLSHl

— ??O ?OOT???? ?O????? (@NFL_Journal) December 18, 2022

The Bears will begin free agency with the most money to spend, and with no clear blue-chip offensive lineman worthy of being picked where Chicago’s first-round selection is likely to be, expect a big investment in veteran linemen on the open market.

Velus Jones Jr.”s roster spot isn’t safe in 2023

It may be time to reassess the future outlook for Chicago’s 2022 third-round pick, Velus Jones Jr. He lost another fumble against the Eagles, and even when he managed to hold onto the ball, he didn’t look anything like the explosive athlete his testing numbers suggest he is.

Jones was a target of post-Draft jokes because of his advanced age. He’s already 25 years old. Unlike most rookies who enter the NFL at 21 or 22, Jones” development ceiling is much lower. He may just be who he is right now. And if that’s the case, GM Ryan Poles should look for an upgrade.

Jones ended Sunday’s game with one catch for three yards. He was outplayed by little-known Nsimba Webster, who made his first two career catches for 14 yards.

Kyler Gordon continues to be equal parts exciting and frustrating

Kyler Gordon is the Bears’ first selection from the 2022 NFL Draft (second round), and at times, he plays like it. He showed some twitchy athleticism and good ball skills on his interception of Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, but he also flashed his frustrating lapses in judgment when WR Devonta Smith beat him on a long gain down the sideline.

Gordon will be a key starter for the Chicago Bears in 2023. In a way, it’s OK that he’s going through his growing pains in a lost season. Reps matter, especially at cornerback, and Gordon is learning some valuable lessons about life as a professional cover guy.

But he won’t have an endless leash in 2023. He’ll need to commit to his craft this offseason and enter next year’s training camp as the CB1 Poles drafted him to be.

Help Wanted: Pass Rusher

The Bears need help at pass rush in the worst way. Sure, it’s unfair to judge a defense’s pass-rush effectiveness against a quarterback as dynamic as Hurts, but they managed only one sack, which fell below their league-worst 1.2 sacks per game entering Week 15.

The 2023 NFL Draft will offer the Chicago Bears an opportunity to land that pass rusher. Currently slated to pick No. 3 overall, Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. would be an ideal need-meeting-value opportunity.