This article may use tenses incorrectly. (October 2023) |
2013 Chicago Bears season | |
---|---|
Owner | The McCaskey Family |
General manager | Phil Emery |
Head coach | Marc Trestman |
Home field | Soldier Field |
Local radio | WBBM · WCFS · WLEY · WSCR |
Results | |
Record | 8–8 |
Division place | 2nd NFC North |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 5 |
AP All-Pros | None |
Uniform | |
The 2013 Chicago Bears season was the franchise's 94th season in the National Football League (NFL). This season was the first year under head coach Marc Trestman after Lovie Smith was fired on December 31, 2012. The Bears played at Soldier Field for the 11th season since its reconstruction in 2001. For the sixth time in seven years since the Super Bowl XLI loss in 2006, they failed to qualify for the playoffs with an 8–8 record.[1]
For the first time since 1999, linebacker Brian Urlacher was not on the opening day roster.
The Bears started the regular season by winning their first three games before losing in weeks four and five to the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints. The following game, after winning against the New York Giants, quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a groin injury against the Washington Redskins. The Bears entered the bye week at 4–3. With Cutler out, Josh McCown stepped in against the Green Bay Packers in week nine, leading the Bears to victory. Cutler returned the next game against the Lions but injured his ankle in the loss, so McCown filled in for the next four games. During the four-game span under McCown the Bears went 2–2 while McCown excelled, throwing thirteen touchdowns and one interception. When Cutler returned in week fifteen against the Cleveland Browns, controversy arose over who should be the starter.
The Lions lost the day after the Bears defeated the Browns, allowing the Bears the opportunity to clinch the NFC North in week sixteen needing the Packers and Lions to lose and a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Bears lost 54–11 against the Eagles, and in week seventeen against the Packers, the Bears were eliminated from playoff contention with a 33–28 loss.