The 2013 season marked a year of transition for the Chicago Bears, who fired coach Lovie Smith and hired Marc Trestman as his successor in the off-season.
It ultimately ended in disappointment, however, as the team was pipped to the post in the final week of the season, losing 33-28 to the Green Bay Packers to miss out on a playoff spot with an 8-8 record.
Here, Sports Mole looks back on an eventful campaign for the Bears.
Pre-season expectations
With stalwart Brian Urlacher absent from the Bears roster for the first time since 1999 and Marc Trestman coming in as new coach, uncertainty surrounded the Bears ahead of the season. In a competitive NFC North division, hopes were high that a return to the playoffs beckoned, but the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions were expected to provide stiff opposition.
Highlight of the season
Week 14 saw the Dallas Cowboys come to Soldier Field on a night of celebration for the Bears, as legendary former player and head coach Mike Ditka was honoured at half time to recognise his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The number 89 jersey was retired for Ditka, who helped create one of the best defences in history with his 1985 side.
It was the offence that stole the show on the field, however, as stand-in quarterback Josh McCown took the Cowboys apart. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a score of his own, ending the match with a quarterback rating of 141.9 - a performance that earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
Biggest disappointment
Losing to the struggling Washington Redskins in week seven in a match that also saw Jay Cutler suffer a serious injury was certainly a low point of the season, but undoubtedly the biggest disappointment came in the final week as the Bears missed out on the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion.
Just 46 seconds remained on the clock when Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers picked out a wide open Randall Cobb on fourth down for a 48-yard touchdown that put the Packers into the lead in a winner-takes-all showdown. The defeat saw Green Bay win the division and reach the playoffs, while Chicago's season was over.
Player of the Season
The Bears were undoubtedly stronger on offence than defence last season, so it is no surprise that their player of the season comes from the attacking side. Matt Forte proved himself to be an important cog in the Bears offence whether the ball was kept on the ground or thrown through the air.
In a season that saw Josh McCown fill in admirably for the injured Jay Cutler, Forte was one of the players who took the pressure off the stand-in quarterback. He recorded 1,339 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns, statistics that earned him a place in the Pro Bowl.
Unsung hero
In a Bears defence that struggled all season, Major Wright stood out among the crowd and stepped up to the plate. His presence eased the damage from injuries to his fellow defensive players and he was a key reason behind the Bears' playoff challenge.
The strong safety recorded 100 total tackles, including 78 solo, as well as two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Despite those impressive figures, however, he was overlooked for the Pro Bowl at the end of the campaign.
Off-season changes
With defence being such an Achilles heel in the 2013 season, the Bears have already moved to ensure that next year brings a drastic improvement. Defensive line coach Mike Phair and Tim Tibesar were fired in January, with Houston Texans linebacker coach Reggie Herring and former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni coming in in their place.
The playing side has seen notable departures too, with Josh McCown joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent and return specialist Devin Hester also departing to join the Atlanta Falcons. Former second overall Draft pick Julius Peppers saw his four-year stint with the team end, while Earl Bennett, Corey Wootton and Henry Melton have also left.
A number of key players have re-signed, however, including Jay Cutler and Charles Tillman. The Bears have also brought in former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
2014 prospects
The NFC North is once again expected to be a competitive division, but with the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings all expected to improve, the Bears must keep up if they are to avoid another season of disappointment.
A stronger defence is the priority after the team allowed 678 points, 6,313 total yards and 2,583 rushing yards last season - all figures that are the worst in franchise history. If they can sort that out, however, then the Bears could well find themselves back at the top of the NFC North.
