Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
How many picks do the Bears have in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Michael G.
Georgia
The Bears have five picks in the 2022 draft: Their own selections in Rounds 2, 3, 5 and 6 and an additional fifth-rounder they obtained in a trade that sent receiver Anthony Miller to the Texans. The Bears dealt their first- and fourth-round picks to the Giants last April to move up nine spots in the first round to choose quarterback Justin Fields at No. 11. They also sent their seventh-round selection to the Texans in the Miller trade. The Bears' first pick in the 2022 draft will be the seventh choice in the second round, 39th overall. If they don't trade the pick, it would be the fourth time in eight years they've drafted a player at No. 39. The previous selections were nose tackle Eddie Goldman (2015), guard James Daniels (2018) and tackle Teven Jenkins (2021).
Where do the Bears rank in strength of schedule for the 2022 season?
Robert W.
Antioch, Illinois
The Bears' 17 opponents in 2022 combined for a 135-152-2 record in 2021, a .471 winning percentage that ties the Bears for the eighth least difficult schedule in 2022. The only teams with an easier slate are the Cowboys (.462) Washington Football Team (.462), Eagles (.464), Giants (.465), Lions (.467), Colts (.469) and Jaguars (.469). The Packers (.478) have the 11th easiest schedule; the Vikings (.484) the 13th. The Rams (.567) have the most difficult slate, followed by the Cardinals (.543), Bengals (.536), Buccaneers (.535), 49ers (.533) and Chiefs (.533).
In addition to home and road games against NFC North rivals the Lions (3-13-1 in 2021), Packers (13-4) and Vikings (8-9) in 2022, the Bears will host the Eagles (9-8), Washington Football Team (7-10), 49ers (10-7), Bills (11-6), Dolphins (9-8) and Texans (4-13); and visit the Cowboys (12-5), Giants (4-13), Falcons (7-10), Patriots (10-7) and Jets (4-13).
Check out the Bears' home and away matchups for the 2022 season.
Home vs. Detroit Lions
Last meeting in Chicago: October 3rd, 2021
Score: Bears 24 - Lions 14
Bears lead all-time series 104-75-5
Home vs. Minnesota Vikings
Last meeting in Chicago: December 20th, 2021
Score: Bears 9 - Vikings 17
Vikings lead all-time series 63-57-2
Home vs. Green Bay Packers
Last meeting in Chicago: October 17th, 2021
Score: Bears 14 - Packers 24
Packers lead all-time series 103-95-6
Home vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Last meeting in Chicago: September 19th, 2016
Score: Bears 14 - Eagles 29
Bears lead all-time series 29-16-1
Home vs. Washington Commanders
Last meeting in Chicago: December 24th, 2016
Score: Bears 21 - Washington 41
Washington leads all-time series 26-24-1
Home vs. Buffalo Bills
Last meeting in Chicago: September 7th, 2014
Score: Bears 20 - Bills 23
Bears lead all-time series 8-5-0
Home vs. Miami Dolphins
Last meeting in Chicago: October 19th, 2014
Score: Bears 14 - Dolphins 27
Dolphins lead all-time series 9-4-0
Home vs. San Francisco 49ers
Last meeting in Chicago: October 31st, 2021
Score: Bears 22 - 49ers 33
49ers lead all-time series 35-32-1
Home vs. Houston Texans
Last meeting in Chicago: December 13th, 2020
Score: Bears 36 - Texans 7
Texans lead all-time series 4-1-0
Away vs. Detroit Lions
Last meeting in Detroit: November 25th, 2021
Score: Bears 16 - Lions 14
Bears lead all-time series 104-75-5
Away vs. Minnesota Vikings
Last meeting in Minnesota: January 9th, 2022
Score: Bears 17 - Vikings 31
Vikings lead all-time series 63-57-2
Away vs. Green Bay Packers
Last meeting in Green Bay: December 12th, 2021
Score: Bears 30 - Packers 45
Packers lead all-time series 103-95-6
Away vs. Dallas Cowboys
Last meeting in Dallas: September 25th, 2016
Score: Bears 17 - Cowboys 31
Cowboys lead all-time series 15-12-0
Away vs. New York Giants
Last meeting in New York: December 2nd, 2018
Score: Bears 27 - Giants 30
Bears lead all-time series 36-24-2
Away vs. New England Patriots
Last meeting in New England: October 26th, 2014
Score: Bears 23 - Patriots 51
Patriots lead all-time series 10-4-0
Away vs. New York Jets
Last meeting in New York: September 22nd, 2014
Score: Bears 27 - Jets 19
Bears lead all-time series 9-3-0
Away vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last meeting in Atlanta: September 27th, 2020
Score: Bears 30 - Falcons 26
Bears lead all-time series 15-13-0
What do you think was the biggest surprise of the 2021 season?
Fred W.
North Chicago, Illinois
I don't think there were a lot of surprises, at least not when you compare the 2021 season to 2020. For example, the offense continued to struggle scoring touchdowns, the defense played well at times but was unable to generate a lot of takeaways, and Cairo Santos had another strong season kicking field goals. For me, the biggest surprise was the amazing performance of veteran outside linebacker Robert Quinn. If you know anyone who predicted that he would set a new Bears' single-season sack record with 18.5, I'd like that person to select some lottery numbers for me. I doubt anyone saw that coming for Quinn, especially after he was limited to a career-low 2.0 sacks in 2020. But he performed at an All-Pro level throughout the 2021 season, and not only as a pass rusher; he was excellent defending the run as well. And much of Quinn's production came without injured perennial Pro Bowler Khalil Mack on the field.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
