Brad Engelberg of Caledonia is a Chicago Bears football fan and sportswriter. In the following article, Brad Engelberg discusses the Bears Rookie of the Year, opponents, the newly named president, and more.
It's another year for the Chicago Bears football team, and it's safe to say that quite a lot has already happened.
From Brisker earning Rookie of the Year to Kevin Warren being the first president and CEO to be hired from outside the franchise, it's been an exciting time for the organization. And Brad Engelberg says that there's plenty more to come.
Bears Rookie of the Year: Jaquan Brisker
Jaquan Brisker, a Bears safety
chosen in the second-round draft pick in 2022, produced impact plays instantly during his rookie season, finishing with four sacks. He joins Todd Bell (1984) and Dave Duerson (1986), the only other defensive backs to record at least four sacks in one season.
Brad Engelberg of Caledonia says that across the 15 games he played this season, he spent more time on the field than any defensive player. Bar three games, he played 100% of the defensive snaps, saying to reporters, "I take pride in taking a lot of snaps and playing the whole year."
Finishing the season as the team's second-leading tackler, Brad Engelberg says that he totaled 103 tackles, boasting 73 solos.
His consistent improvement and notable playmaking ability made the Chicago Bears' Rookie of the Year for 2022 pick easy — it had to be Jaquan Brisker.
Alan Williams, the team's defensive coordinator, mentioned Brisker's growth throughout the season, congratulating him on his attention to detail with his plays as time went on rather than just brute force physicality according to Brad Engelberg.
Kevin Warren Named the Bears' New President and CEO
Earlier this month, the Chicago Bears named Kevin Warren their new president and CEO. He is filling the shoes of former president and CEO, Ted Phillips, who retired after 40 seasons with the team.
Brad Engelberg reports that at age 59, Warren boasts a whopping 21 years of experience as an NFL executive member. Most recently serving as the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, he also held positions at the St. Louis Rams (1997 to 2000), Detroit Lions (2001 to 2003), and Minnesota Vikings (2005 to 2019).
Upon his naming, Warren becomes the fifth president in the team's 103-year-long history, following in the footsteps of George "Mugs" Halas Jr., George S. Halas, Philips, and Michael McCaskey. He's the Bears' first Black president and the first president and CEO to come in from outside the organization's walls.
Respect, excellence, and integrity are three qualities held in high regard by the team, all of which the chairman, George H. McCaskey, said Warren encompasses according to Brad Engelberg of Caledonia.
The proven leader is known for thinking outside the box and going out of his comfort zone to achieve unconventional prosperity and growth. In his new role as president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, he will undoubtedly help bring the Super Bowl championship home.
Bears Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Fields
Brad Engelberg says that following his second NFL season, the Chicago Bears quarterback,
Justin Fields, proved his worth as one of the sport's most electrifying players. How? His dual-threat ability.
He truly made a name for himself this past season, rushing for 1,143 yards and setting the single-game record for quarterbacks against the Dolphins on November 6 with 178 yards. And yes, this achievement was placed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On top of that, 2022 saw Fields become the first Super-Bowl-era quarterback with a rushing TD in six consecutive games.
Missing two games due to injuries, he started 15 games this season, totaling 192 of 318 pass attempts and hitting 17 touchdowns.
Brad Engelberg of Caledonia says that the overall improvement and leadership skills prompted the franchise to select him as the Bear's Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
The Bears' 2023 Opponents Are Solidified
It's 2023, and fans are already anticipating the NFL season.
Recently, Bears supporters were given the team's upcoming opponents, growing the excitement to new heights reports Brad Engelberg.
At home, the Chicago Bears will face the Lions, Packers, Falcons, Vikings, Panthers, Broncos, Cardinals, and Raiders. Away, they'll be going head-to-head with the Lions, Chargers, Chiefs, Vikings, Packers, Buccaneers, Commanders, Browns, and Saints.
The Bears are set to play three games against the teams that finish in the same place in their divisions — Cardinals at home and the Browns and Commanders away.
This season, every NFC team will play eight home games and nine road matches.
