Chicago Bears roster breakdown: How the defensive players did in 2022 — and their contract status for 2023

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has big decisions to make at multiple positions as he reworks the roster over the next few months.

Here’s a look at how the 2022 Bears performed and each player’s contract status moving forward, continuing with the defense and special teams.

Trevis Gipson, defensive end

Contract status: Entering final year of rookie contract.

What to know: The 2020 fifth-round pick had 31 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a team-leading 11 quarterback hits and three passes defended. But he recorded only three sacks a year after totaling seven, part of a downturn for a Bears defense that had a league-low 20 sacks.

Al-Quadin Muhammad, defensive end

Contract status: Entering final year of two-year contract.

What to know: Muhammad signed an $8 million contract to join his former Indianapolis Colts coach Matt Eberflus in Chicago. But the six-year veteran totaled just one sack and three quarterback hits, his fewest since 2018. Flashy, game-changing plays were few and far between, and the Bears will be looking for more options at the position.

Dominique Robinson, defensive end

Contract status: Entering second year of rookie contract.

What to know: The Bears knew when they drafted Robinson in the fifth round last year that growth was needed for a player who didn’t switch to defense until late in his college career. He had 1½ sacks in his NFL debut and didn’t have another. He also had 30 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two passes defended. Robinson played about 50% of the defensive snaps and saw time in all 17 games, with increased action after Robert Quinn was traded.

Justin Jones, defensive tackle

Contract status: Entering final year of two-year contract.

What to know: After spending his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones signed a $12 million contract to be the Bears’ three-technique tackle. In his end-of-season news conference, Poles singled out Jones as “a consistent playmaker” over 17 games. He had 52 tackles, including a team-leading 12 for a loss, plus three sacks, seven quarterback hits and four passes defended.

Armon Watts, defensive tackle

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: The Bears picked up Watts off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings at the beginning of the season. He started a career-high 12 games and played in all 17, logging about half of the snaps. He had 35 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits and a sack.

Angelo Blackson, defensive tackle

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: In his second season with the Bears, Blackson’s playing time dipped late in the year, and he was a healthy scratch in Week 16. The eight-year veteran had 22 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hit and a pass defended.

Mike Pennel Jr., defensive tackle

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: The nine-year veteran played in all 17 games and got two starts late in the year. He had a couple of big December moments, including two passes defended and a forced fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Nicholas Morrow, linebacker

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: Morrow will be an interesting case to see if the Bears want to bring him back after he played on a one-year, $3 million deal in 2022. He is 27, can play both the middle and weak-side linebacker spots and had a team-leading 116 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, two passes defended and an interception.

Jack Sanborn, linebacker

Contract status: Entering second year of three-year undrafted rookie contract.

What to know: The Bears didn’t have a ton of pleasant surprises in 2022, but Sanborn was one. The undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin received his shot when the Bears traded Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens, and Sanborn capitalized. In six starts before suffering an ankle injury, Sanborn had 59 tackles, five tackles for a loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery.

Matt Adams, linebacker

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: Adams followed Eberflus from the Colts as another of Poles’ cheap one-year signings. He went on injured reserve at midseason and played in 10 games with 26 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.

Joe Thomas, linebacker

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: The eight-year veteran got more playing time late in the year because of injuries. In the final four games, he had 39 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Sterling Weatherford, linebacker

Contract status: Entering second year of three-year undrafted rookie contract.

What to know: The Miami (Ohio) product was a significant special teams contributor over 14 games but didn’t log time on defense.

Jaylon Johnson, cornerback

Contract status: Entering final year of rookie contract.

What to know: Quadriceps, finger and rib injuries limited Johnson to 11 games in 2022. He didn’t have an interception and has only one in three NFL seasons. But he had 35 tackles, seven passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. According to Pro Football Reference, Johnson allowed only one touchdown and a career-low 94.6 passer rating. He will be one to watch as Poles determines where to hand out contract extensions.

Kyler Gordon, cornerback

Contract status: Entering second year of rookie contract.

What to know: Gordon played both nickel and outside corner in his rookie season, totaling 71 tackles, two tackles for a loss, three interceptions, six passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 14 games. He had some bumps along the way, but coaches saw growth and increased comfort as the season wore on.

Kindle Vildor, cornerback

Contract status: Entering final year of rookie contract.

What to know: The 2020 fifth-round pick had his first career interception and a career-high five passes defended to go with 34 tackles. He missed six games, including the final five, with an ankle injury. It should be noted Poles listed cornerback as a premium position the Bears could target this offseason.

Jaylon Jones, cornerback

Contract status: Entering second year of three-year undrafted rookie contract.

What to know: Jones started as a key special teams player, but multiple injuries pushed him into 464 defensive snaps. He had 47 tackles, two passes defended and a forced fumble and gained valuable experience.

Josh Blackwell, cornerback

Contract status: Exclusive-rights free agent.

What to know: Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Blackwell had a Pro Bowl-caliber impact on his units, and Blackwell also saw time on defense late in the year because of injuries, which defensive coordinator Alan Williams said will be a big benefit moving forward. He had 23 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Harrison Hand, cornerback

Contract status: Under contract for 2023.

What to know: The former Vikings cornerback spent most of the year on the practice squad but played in four games, logging significant time in the final two. He had 12 tackles, a pass defended and a forced fumble.

Eddie Jackson, safety

Contract status: Entering third year of four-year contract extension.

What to know: Jackson was having a career rejuvenation in his sixth season with four interceptions, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and 80 tackles. But his season was cut five games short when he suffered a Lisfranc foot injury against the New York Jets in Week 12, marking the first time he has played fewer than 14 games.

Jaquan Brisker, safety

Contract status: Entering second year of rookie contract.

What to know: Coaches and teammates spoke highly of Brisker’s work ethic and drive throughout his rookie season, and he looked like a player whom the Bears could be excited about. He had an interception, two passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 104 tackles, five tackles for a loss and four sacks. He missed two games with a concussion late in the year.

DeAndre Houston-Carson, safety

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: The veteran has been a reliable special teams player, backup defensive back and player/coach of sorts in seven years in Chicago. He stepped in to start after Jackson was injured and finished the season with 45 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a quarterback hit, an interception, a pass defended and a forced fumble.

Elijah Hicks, safety

Contract status: Entering second year of rookie contract.

What to know: The seventh-round pick spent most of the year on special teams but saw action on defense in five late games because of injuries. He had 28 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Dane Cruikshank, safety

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: The four-year veteran played on special teams in eight games but was limited by injuries.

Cairo Santos, kicker

Contract status: Entering final year of three-year contract.

What to know: Santos has been very reliable for most of his three years in Chicago, but he hit a five-game rough patch in November and December in which he missed two field goals and three extra points. He made an adjustment to where he lined up on extra points and didn’t miss a kick in the final three games.

Trenton Gill, punter

Contract status: Entering second year of rookie contract.

What to know: The seventh-round pick took over for longtime punter Pat O’Donnell, who departed in free agency, and averaged 46 yards per punt and 40.3 net yards. He also handled some kickoffs.

Patrick Scales, long snapper

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.

What to know: He played in all 17 games in his seventh season with the Bears.

Other notable players

Other defensive linemen who saw playing time were Andrew Brown, who played in five games, and Jalyn Holmes, who played in one. … Linebackers DeMarquis Gates and Elijah Lee played in three games each. … Among backup cornerbacks who saw time, Breon Borders is a restricted free agent, Michael Ojemudia has a year left on his rookie deal and Greg Stroman signed a reserve/future contract. … Safety A.J. Thomas, who played in five games, is under contract for 2023.

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