Studs and Duds from Bears’ Week 1 loss to Packers

The Chicago Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers was a massive dud to begin the 2023 season. Bears fans were hoping for excitement from the offense and quarterback Justin Fields but were left wondering whether this year will be more of the same from a passing offense that can’t get out of its own way.

Fields wasn’t great, but he wasn’t the main reason Chicago looked inept. The offensive line was terrible, and the playcalling was worse.

The Bears’ defense also deserves its fair share of the blame for Week 1’s meltdown. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams has to start proving to fans that he knows how to fix the pass rush. Otherwise, it may be time for a new play-caller.

It’s only one game, and there’s plenty of time for the Chicago Bears to figure out what went wrong on Sunday. The loss stings more because it was to the Green Bay Packers, but it’s not a season-ender. And there were a few bright spots to come from an otherwise frustrating Week 1.

Here are the Bears’ studs and duds from the opener.

AP Photo Kamil Krzaczynski

Stud: Darnell Mooney

Mooney led all Bears receivers with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. He looked fully healthy and was the only receiver who seemed to get open consistently.

It’s obvious Justin Fields trusts Mooney more than any other pass-catcher at this point, even with DJ Moore on the roster. Mooney’s strong showing is a good sign that he’ll put together the kind of year that earns him a second contract in Chicago.

Quinn Harris Getty Images

Dud: Braxton Jones

Jones was a fantastic story as a rookie in 2022. He rose from the ashes of the fifth round of the NFL Draft to become the Bears’ starting left tackle for all 17 games. His second season got off to a rough start on Sunday, as Jones was on the wrong end of several critical penalties.

Jones was inconsistent in pass protection, too. I don’t think this will be a lingering problem for him, but he needs a strong game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 to silence critics.

Quinn Harris Getty Images

Stud: Roschon Johnson

Johnson was as good as advertised in Week 1. There’s no doubt he is the most explosive running back on the Chicago Bears and offers a three-down skill set that Justin Fields can rely on.

Johnson ended the game with 55 total yards and a touchdown and had the highlight of the game when he decleated a Packers defender on a run up the middle of the defense. Unfortunately, it was called back because of a penalty.

Quinn Harris – Getty Images

Dud: Pass rush

I didn’t think the Chicago Bears’ pass rush could get any worse than it was in 2022, but it looks like it might actually be weaker this year. Yannick Ngakoue had the Bears’ only sack of the game, Jordan Love was unscathed on his 27 pass attempts.

It almost looked like the Bears’ defense was instructed not to hit Love. It was that bad. It’s time for defensive coordinator Alan Williams to get some heat. He’s working with a completely revamped front-seven, yet the results are the same. Perhaps it’s a system problem more than a players problem.

Quinn Harris Getty Images

Stud: Cole Kmet

Kmet let the Bears in receptions (5) and was second on the team in receiving yards (44).

Kmet played hard for four quarters, and while he doesn’t flash exciting after-the-catch ability, he continues to prove he’s a reliable bailout option for Justin Fields.

Michael Reaves – Getty Images

Dud: Chase Claypool

Claypool may have been the worst player on the field for the Bears in Week 1. From dropped passes to missed blocks, Claypool looked like he didn’t want to play. He seems lost. It’s like he doesn’t know the plays or his assignment.

Claypool ended the game with zero catches. I don’t know how that’s even possible at this point. It won’t be long before Tyler Scott sees more reps in three-receiver sets.

Michael Reaves – Getty Images

Dud: Offensive line

Braxton Jones wasn’t the only problem along the Bears’ offensive line in Week 1. Chicago surrendered four sacks and countless pressures. The running lanes closed before Khalil Herbert could hit the hole. The Bears were bullied up front by the Packers, and it’s a huge reason why the offense looked so bad.

Yes, Chicago is dealing with injuries and a reshuffled starting five, but the offensive line needs to step up if they want to compete in the NFC North.

AP Photo Nam Y. Huh

Dud: Luke Getsy

Getsy is Public Enemy No. 1 among Bears fans after a game plan against the Packers that was very Matt Nagy-esque.

Only three of Justin Fields’ 37 pass attempts traveled farther than 10 yards, and while some of that can be attributed to Fields checking down, the reality is Getsy called a timid and cowardly game. Much like Alan Williams on defense, Getsy’s ability as a play-caller needs to be re-evaluated.

Subscribe to The Bears Talk Podcast: APPLE | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE