Chicago Bears News Page 105 - NFL

Kyler Gordon - Inactive in season finale Gordon ended the season with 71 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 14 games played.

Impact After being selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, Gordon had an excellent rookie season. He averaged five tackles and also picked off three passes, and aside from two games in which he didn't record a tackle, he had at least five stops in the majority of games. He seems to be a player on the rise, and may quickly become one of the top IDP players at cornerback as early as 2023. He's under contract through 2025.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eddie Jackson - Ends season on injured reserve Johnson ended the season with 35 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 11 games.

Impact Johnson (finger/ribs) was placed on injured reserve after Week 15 and played 11 games. He failed to intercept a pass, and he has just one pick during his three years in the league. As a tackler, he averaged three per game, though his game-to-game production was inconsistent. Unless his situation changes next year, he'll be a moderate-floor, low-upside IDP option. He's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elijah Lee - Heads toward free agency Lee didn't post a tackle in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with two tackles over two games played.

Impact After playing seven defensive snaps in Week 1, Lee spent the rest of the season solely on special teams. He'll look to latch onto a team as a depth player as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Javin White - Spends season on injured reserve White missed the entire season after suffering a knee injury in August of 2022.

Impact Before singing with the Bears this season, White had played in six career games, resulting in four tackles over a three-year span. He'll likely battle for a roster spot in 2023. He's now a restricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sterling Weatherford - Primarily a special teamer in 2022 Weatherford ended the season with four tackles over 14 games played.

Impact Weatherford played just two defensive snaps all year and worked primarily as a special team's player. Although he may be competing for a roster spot next year, he's signed through the 2024 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jack Sanborn - Ends season on injured reserve Sanborn ended the season with 64 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble over 15 games played.

Impact After the Bears traded away Roquan Smith, Sanborn (knee) moved into a full-time role until suffering a season-ending injury in Week 15. During his time as starter, he averaged 11 tackles per game and was an elite IDP option. If he returns healthy in 2023, he should resume his status as a strong IDP option. He's signed through the 2024 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Thomas - Hits open market Thomas recorded 14 tackles and recovered a fumble in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 62 tackles and a fumble recovery over 15 games playe...

Impact Thomas was seeing inconsistent snaps as a backup for most of the season, but after the Bears traded Roquan Smith and then Jack Sanborn suffered a season-ending injury, Thomas took on a starting role and averaged eight tackles down the stretch. Thomas, an eight-year veteran, will likely battle for a depth role as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Adams - Set for free agency Adams notched two tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 26 tackles and a forced fumble over 10 games played.

Impact Adams missed seven games with a calf injury, and in the nine games he played, he had two or fewer tackles in six of them. However, on a per-game basis, this was the most productive year of his five-year career. After playing about 20 snaps per game, he'll likely compete for a depth role next year as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nicholas Morrow - Career year in 2022 Morrow recorded seven tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 116 tackles and an interception over 17 games played.

Impact Morrow took on a full-time role for the Bears at outside linebacker and it led to him having a career year. His previous career high in tackles was 78 with the Raiders in 2020, which came before he missed the 2021 season due to injury. After sailing past 100 tackles, he should be in line to compete for a starting role as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jalyn Holmes - Heads toward free agency Holmes recorded three tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and those were the only stats he accrued with Chicago in the 2022 season.

Impact Holmes functioned as the third-string defensive end for the Bears but didn't record a snap on defense until Week 18. He'll likely battle for a roster spot as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Andrew Brown - Set for free agency Brown didn't record a tackle in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with one tackle in five games played.

Impact After Brown recorded 14 tackles as a rookie in 2019, he hasn't had more than two tackles in any season since. He didn't see the field for the Bears until Week 17, and he'll likely battle for a roster spot next year as an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominique Robinson - Rotational role as rookie Robinson posted one tackle in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 30 tackles and 1.5 sacks over 17 games played.

Impact After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Robinson averaged 30 snaps per game in a rotational role. Aside from three weeks when he had at least five tackles, he had two or fewer tackles in most of his games. It's very possible that his role grows as he goes into his second season. He's under contract through 2025.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Pennel Jr. - Slated for free agency Pennel tallied one tackle in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 26 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 17 games played.

Impact Pennel played about 20 snaps per game in a rotational role, and his tackle total is right in line with the production he's posted in most of his nine-year career. He's only had more than 29 tackles once in his career, and that was when he had 35 with the Jets in 2017. He should find a depth role next year, as he's now an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Week 18: League-wide Damar Hamlin tributes, more viral moments

Teams and fans across the NFL showed support for Bills safety Damar Hamlin as he continues his recovery. Check out the tributes here.

JANUARY 9, 2023

NFL Week 18: League-wide Damar Hamlin tributes, more viral moments

Trevis Gipson - Regresses in 2022 Gipson recorded four tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 31 tackles and three sacks over 17 games played.

Impact In 2021, Gipson looked like a player on the rise after posting 39 tackles and seven sacks, but his production regressed significantly. He was in a nearly-equal timeshare with Al-Quadin Muhammad and Gipson failed to reach 30 tackles while seeing his sack total drop by more than half of last year's total. He'll likely have a similar role, as he's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Armon Watts - Set for free agency Watts notched three tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 35 tackles and one sack over 17 games played.

Impact Watts played about 30 snaps per game as a backup defensive tackle after coming off a career season in 2021 with the Vikings, when he recorded 46 tackles and five sacks. In his rotational role, he averaged two tackles per game, and he'll likely land a similar role next year. He's now an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Angelo Blackson - Inactive in season finale Blackson ended the season with 22 tackles over 15 games played.

Impact Blackson played nearly 25 snaps per game in a rotational role and posted more than two tackles on just two occasions. Unlike the career year he had with the Bears in 2021, the eight-year veteran posted very similar numbers to what he's produced in four of the last five years. His role and production should remain similar going forward. He's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Al-Quadin Muhammad - Disappointing season Muhammad recorded two tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 29 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble over 17 games played.

Impact Muhammad had his least productive season since 2018 after joining the Bears in free agency. He played in an even timeshare with Trevis Gipson and both players posted similar production, so neither was able to earn a larger role. Muhammad should play in a similar role going forward, as he's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jones - Best season of career Jones tallied three tackles in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 52 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery over 17 games played.

Impact After playing his first four years with the Chargers, Jones posted the highest tackle total of his career, averaging three per contest. He also tied his career high in sacks with three. He averaged over 40 snaps per game as a lead defensive tackle in a rotation, and he should retain that role going forward. He's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ryan Griffin - Heads toward free agency Griffin wasn't targeted in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with four receptions for 26 yards over 15 games played.

Impact Griffin came into this season with six seasons of at least 244 receiving yards, but the 32 year old had the worst season of his career because he was targeted less than once per game. It's possible he re-emerges next year as a depth tight end, as he's now an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dante Pettis - Ticketed for free agency Pettis caught two passes for 19 yards in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 19 receptions, 245 yards and three touchdowns over 17 games play...

Impact Pettis was available for more than 12 games for the first time in his five-year career, but he was a depth receiver, which led to him seeing slightly more than two targets per game. Although he had a pair of games with at least 51 yards and a touchdown, he was held to fewer than 15 yards in most of his games. After staying healthy and reasonably reliable, he should continue to serve as a depth option next year and beyond. He's now an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Equanimeous St. Brown - Slow finish to year St. Brown caught one pass for three yards in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 21 receptions, 323 yards and a touchdown over 16 games playe...

Impact After failing to reach 120 yards in either of his last two seasons in Green Bay, St. Brown posted similar numbers with the Bears this year than he had during his rookie season in 2018. Going into the fifth year of his career, he's likely ticketed to be a depth option next year and beyond.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Darnell Mooney - Ends season on injured reserve Mooney ended the season with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns over 12 games.

Impact After breaking out with 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 2021, it was a disappointing season for Mooney. Early in the season, he was limited by an offense that used Justin Fields as a drop-back passer behind a porous offensive line. As the Bears began to use Fields' legs more often, Mooney became more productive. Unless the Bears make adding wide receiver talent an offseason priority, Mooney could remain the team's top option in the passing game. He's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Velus Jones Jr. - Usage increases late in season Jones rushed for a 42-yard touchdown in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown along with nine ca...

Impact Jones was at his best as a kick returner during his rookie season. On offense, he didn't have more than two touches in any game, though he did play more than 15 offensive snaps for the first time all season during Weeks 15 and 16, when he averaged 34 snaps. Although he'll likely remain the team's top kick returner next year, he may also see his role in the offense expand. He's under contract through 2025.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

N'Keal Harry - Heads towards free agency Harry caught one pass for seven yards in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with seven receptions, 116 yards and a touchdown over seven games pla...

Impact Between games missed due to injury and others due to being a healthy scratch, Harry played more than 30 snaps just once all season. There was just one game in which he caught more than one pass, and he averaged less than 20 yards in the games he played. In his four-year career, his best season was 2020 with the Patriots when he caught 33 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He's now an unrestricted free agent.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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