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Are the Chicago Bears a Bottom-3 Defense Heading Into 2023?

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While Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears‘ offense garnered most of the attention last season, the team’s woeful defensive performance also contributed to their eventual NFL-worst 3-13 record. After making several significant additions to their defense over the offseason, will the Bears still have a bottom-three defense in 2023?

The Chicago Bears’ Defense by the Numbers

Head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams didn’t have much of a chance as they implemented their scheme with the Bears’ lacking personnel in 2022. After losing Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks over the offseason, Chicago simply didn’t have the horses, which was reflected in year-end statistics.

The Bears gave up more points (27.2 per game) than any team in the league last season, and the results only got worse after Chicago traded Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn. Things truly fell apart when they gave up 49 points to the Cowboys in Week 8 — from that game on, Chicago allowed more than 30 points per game to close the campaign.

MORE: The Chicago Bears’ Best and Worst-Case Scenarios

Eberflus’ defense ranked dead last in DVOA and expected points added per play, with problems arising against both the run and the pass. The Bears finished 32nd in defensive drive success rate, allowing opposing offenses to convert a first down or touchdown on more than three-quarters of their drives. Meanwhile, they allowed offenses to score on 41.8% of their drives, the second-worst rate in the NFL.

Given that lackluster performance, it’s easy to see why Pro Football Network’s Arif Hasan ranked the Bears’ defense as the No. 31 unit in the league heading into 2023, ahead of only the Rams. While Chicago has made numerous additions over the offseason, it’s worth wondering how much of an impact those new players will make.

The Bears Have Made Improvements and Are Betting on Growth

The Bears began their defensive overhaul in free agency by signing linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, both of whom come from winning cultures — Bills and Eagles, respectively — and experienced personal and team success in 2022.

Edmunds and Edwards should help fortify the middle of Chicago’s defense, but linebacker play doesn’t typically have much of an effect on overall defensive performance. The Bears gave Edmunds $18 million annually on a four-year contract, placing him just behind Roquan Smith, Shaquille Leonard, and Fred Warner among linebackers. Edmunds will need to be as productive as those cohorts in order to live up to his salary.

After using the free agent market to upgrade the second level of their defense, Chicago looked to the draft to supplement the trenches. Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens may have been overdrafted (at least, according to the Industry Consensus Board), but they should be able to help prevent opposing rushing attacks from destroying the Bears’ run defense. However, they may not make much of a difference for Chicago’s pass rush, at least in their rookie campaigns.

chicago bears
Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami‐Fl defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (DB31) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears used another early pick on Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who looks like a Day 1 starter in Chicago’s secondary. Eberflus and Co. are also hoping to see strides from safety Jaquan Brisker and nickel corner Kyler Gordon, the club’s second-round picks in 2022. Combined with veterans Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson, the Bears’ young defensive backfield could show improvement next season, but they might also be prone to more inconsistencies.

Chicago’s defense probably has a higher floor in 2023 than it did in 2022. Veteran additions and development from up-and-coming players should help the Bears prevent explosive plays and field a more sound unit. But they still don’t have enough impact defenders on their roster, especially in one key area.

Chicago Still Has One Major Need on Defense

Eberflus wants his defensive line to win their matchups with only four rushers and prefers to limit his blitzes to specific situations. Here is where Eberflus’ defenses have ranked in blitz rate over his career as a defensive coordinator/play-caller:

  • 2018: 17.5% (No. 29 in the NFL)
  • 2019: 22.9% (No. 27)
  • 2020: 17.1% (No. 31)
  • 2021: 20.2% (No. 29)
  • 2022: 18.2% (No. 25)

That strategy can work if a team has an elite edge rusher, but the Bears haven’t had a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end since trading Mack before the 2022 campaign. Last year, Chicago ranked 31st with a 15.9% pressure rate and finished dead last with just 20 sacks.

Defensive end remains a major hole for the Bears heading into 2023. They signed roster fillers like Rasheem Green and DeMarcus Walker, and can hope for a step forward from Trevis Gipson or Dominique Robinson. But Chicago doesn’t have a difference-maker on the edge and didn’t use a single draft pick on a defensive end this year.

Luckily, pass rusher is the one position with talented players remaining on the free agent board. The Bears still lead the NFL with more than $32 million in available cap space, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for them to add a veteran DE before training camp.

MORE: Are the Chicago Bears a Bottom-5 Offense Heading Into 2023?

Jadeveon Clowney, Yannick Ngakoue, and Frank Clark are all available, but the best fit might be Justin Houston, who played under Ebeflus with the Colts from 2019-20. Houston turned 34 years old in January, but he managed 9.5 sacks and 17 QB hits for the Ravens a season ago.

A veteran like Houston won’t suddenly turn the Bears’ defense into a behemoth, but steady growth from Chicago’s corners and contributions from their new linebackers could help the unit trend toward league average if everything breaks right. But given the lack of Tier 1 defenders on the Bears’ roster, it’s fair to view them as a bottom-three NFL defense for the time being.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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