2007 Recap

Coming off a Super Bowl loss in 2007, the Bears continued their slide, finishing 7-9 and tied for last on the NFC North. The Bears were characterized by an ineffectual offense and troubled defense.

The offense struggled to find the right quarterback, going through all three on the roster over the season while trying to find somebody that clicked. Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton will return to battle for the starting spot in 2008. The Bears traded RB Thomas Jones to the Jets to make way for Cedric Benson as the feature back. Benson responded with an unremarkable performance and was taken out of action by a season-ending leg injury. Adrain Peterson did not fair much better, and the Bears are now considering using the 14th pick in the draft on a running back. The Bears may also use the 2008 draft to replenish the aging offensive line or add a playmaking receiver. The defensive side of the ball looks to remain the same, hoping that resigning LB Lance Briggs will reignite a defense that dominated in 2006.

Team History

The Chicago Bears were established in 1919 and are one of the original NFL teams. The Bears found most of their success in the era before the Super Bowl. The team won an impressive eight NFL Championships. Since the Super Bowl began the Bears have only won one, in 1985. The return to the Super Bowl in 2007 was the first in 21 seasons.

The Bears struggled for much of the 1970s and found success in the 1980s with head coach Mike Ditka. The Bears remained perennial contenders after winning the Super Bowl in 1985 with the vaunted 62 defense, but never made it back and fell into NFL cellar in the 90s. The 21st century Bears have found the Bears once again relying on their defense to keep them in games as they search for an effective offense.