2009 Chicago Bears season

The 2009 Chicago Bears season was the franchise's 90th season overall in the National Football League. The Bears had looked to improve upon their 9–7 record from 2008 and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season, but failed to do so for the third consecutive season. The team finished 7–9, and third in the NFC North. This season is Lovie Smith's sixth season as the team's head coach. The Bears played all their home games at Soldier Field.

2009 Chicago Bears season
OwnerThe McCaskey Family
Head coachLovie Smith
General managerJerry Angelo
Home fieldSoldier Field
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersOLB Lance Briggs
KR Johnny Knox
AP All-ProsLance Briggs (2nd team)

Offseason

2009 NFL Draft

Draft pick trades

  • In 2008, Tampa Bay traded its sixth-round selection to Chicago for quarterback Brian Griese.[1]
  • In 2008, the Bears traded their seventh seventh-round selection to Tampa Bay for guard Dan Buenning.[2]
  • In 2009, the Bears traded their 2009 first round pick (18th overall), their 2009 third round pick (84th overall), their 2010 first round pick and quarterback Kyle Orton for quarterback Jay Cutler and a 2009 fifth round pick (140th overall) from Denver originally belonging to Seattle.[3]
2009 Chicago Bears NFL Draft selections
Round Pick Name Position College
3 68 Jarron Gilbert Defensive Tackle San Jose State
3 99 Juaquin Iglesias Wide Receiver Oklahoma
4 105 Henry Melton Defensive End Texas
4 119 D.J. Moore Cornerback Vanderbilt
5 140 Johnny Knox Wide Receiver Abilene Christian
5 154 Marcus Freeman Linebacker Ohio State
6 190 Al Afalava Safety Oregon State
7 246 Lance Louis Tight End / Offensive Lineman San Diego State
7 251 Derek Kinder Wide Receiver Pittsburgh
  • Picks #99, #246 and #251 are compensatory draft picks.
  • The Bears received picks #68 and #105 after a trade with Seattle for the Bears 2nd round pick at #49.

Departures

Additions

Quarterback Jay Cutler was acquired from the Denver Broncos via trade.

Free agents

PositionPlayerFree agency
tag
Date signed2009 team
SMike BrownUFAJune 24, 2009Kansas City Chiefs
QBRex GrossmanUFAJune 12, 2009Houston Texans
CBMarcus HamiltonERFAMarch 12, 2009Chicago Bears
RBKevin JonesUFAMarch 6, 2009Chicago Bears
WRBrandon LloydUFAJune 15, 2009Denver Broncos
LBDarrell McCloverUFA
SBrandon McGowanUFAMay 5, 2009New England Patriots
OTFred MillerUFA
LBNick RoachERFAMarch 16, 2009Chicago Bears
OTJohn St. ClairUFAMarch 17, 2009Cleveland Browns
SCameron WorrellUFA
RFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent

Coaching changes

The Bears hired former Detroit Lions head coach, Rod Marinelli, to be their defensive line and assistant head coach.[11] Bob Babich became the linebackers coach again after Lloyd Lee was fired. However, Babich even though he is still the Defensive Coordinator was stripped of his play calling duties in favor of Head Coach Lovie Smith.[12] Jon Hoke was hired as defensive backs coach.

Rosters

Opening training camp roster

Newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler points out the mike linebacker during training camp.
Chicago Bears 2009 opening training camp roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists
  • Currently vacant

79 Active, 0 Inactive

Week 1 roster

Chicago Bears 2009 week 1 roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

Linebackers

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

Reserve Lists

Practice Squad

53 Active, 5 Inactive, 8 PS

Final roster

2009 Chicago Bears final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 11 inactive, 6 practice squad

Staff

Chicago Bears 2009 staff
Front Office
  • Secretary of the Board of Directors – Virginia Halas McCaskey
  • Chairman – Michael McCaskey
  • President/CEO – Ted Phillips
  • Vice President – Tim McCaskey
  • General Manager – Jerry Angelo
  • Senior Director of Football Administration/General Counsel – Cliff Stein
  • Senior Director of Pro Personnel – Bobby DePaul
  • Director of College Scouting – Greg Gabriel
  • Assistant Director of Pro Personnel – Kevin Turks

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

 

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 August 15 at Buffalo Bills L 20–27 0–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
2 August 22 New York Giants W 17–3 1–1 Soldier Field Recap
3 August 30 at Denver Broncos W 27–17 2–1 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap
4 September 3 Cleveland Browns W 26–23 3–1 Soldier Field Recap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1 September 13 at Green Bay Packers L 15–21 0–1 Lambeau Field Recap
2 September 20 Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–14 1–1 Soldier Field Recap
3 September 27 at Seattle Seahawks W 25–19 2–1 Qwest Field Recap
4 October 4 Detroit Lions W 48–24 3–1 Soldier Field Recap
5 Bye
6 October 18 at Atlanta Falcons L 14–21 3–2 Georgia Dome Recap
7 October 25 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10–45 3–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
8 November 1 Cleveland Browns W 30–6 4–3 Soldier Field Recap
9 November 8 Arizona Cardinals L 21–41 4–4 Soldier Field Recap
10 November 12 at San Francisco 49ers L 6–10 4–5 Candlestick Park Recap
11 November 22 Philadelphia Eagles L 20–24 4–6 Soldier Field Recap
12 November 29 at Minnesota Vikings L 10–36 4–7 Metrodome Recap
13 December 6 St. Louis Rams W 17–9 5–7 Soldier Field Recap
14 December 13 Green Bay Packers L 14–21 5–8 Soldier Field Recap
15 December 20 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–31 5–9 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
16 December 28 Minnesota Vikings W 36–30 OT 6–9 Soldier Field Recap
17 January 3 at Detroit Lions W 37–23 7–9 Ford Field Recap

Standings

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Minnesota Vikings 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 470 312 W1
(5) Green Bay Packers 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 461 297 W2
Chicago Bears 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 327 375 W2
Detroit Lions 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 262 494 L6

Regular season

Week 1

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
1 234Total
Bears 0 2103 15
Packers 0 10011 21

The Bears began their season at Lambeau Field for a Sunday night battle with their hated rival, the Green Bay Packers. After a scoreless first quarter, Chicago trailed early as Packers kicker Mason Crosby got a 52-yard field goal. The Bears would respond with safety Danieal Manning sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his own endzone for a safety, but Green Bay would respond as running back Ryan Grant got a 1-yard touchdown run.

Chicago would take the lead in the third quarter as quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Devin Hester, along with kicker Robbie Gould making a 47-yard field goal. Afterwards, the lead went back and forth in the fourth quarter. Crosby would kick a 39-yard field goal, while Gould nailed a 21-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Packers took the lead again as Rodgers completed a 50-yard touchdown pass and the following two-point conversion to wide receiver Greg Jennings. The Bears tried to rally, but an interception ended any hope of a comeback.

With the loss, Chicago began its season at 0–1.

Cutler's 4 interceptions were the most he had thrown in one game of his career, until week 10 against the 49ers.

Week 2

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Steelers 7 070 14
Bears 0 7010 17

Hoping to rebound from their Sunday night loss to the Packers, the Bears played their Week 2 home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers took an early lead in the first quarter as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 1-yard TD pass to tight end Matt Spaeth, but the Bears immediately fired back in the second quarter as quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 7-yard TD pass to tight end Kellen Davis to tie the score 7–7.

In the third quarter, Pittsburgh retook the lead once more as Roethlisberger got a 2-yard run, but Chicago would rally in the fourth quarter as Cutler threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox. The Steelers would then miss 2 field goal attempts, as the Bears drive the ball down to Steelers territory, ending the drive with kicker Robbie Gould's 44-yard field goal, to give the Bears the lead. The Steelers then fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff, ending any chance for a last second hail mary.

With this win, the Bears improved to 1–1.

Week 3

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
1 234Total
Bears 0 7108 25
Seahawks 10 306 19
Nate Burleson of the Seahawks tries to get away from Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs

Coming off their home win over the Steelers, the Bears flew to Qwest Field for a Week 3 duel with the Seattle Seahawks. Chicago would trail in the first quarter as quarterback Seneca Wallace completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to running back Julius Jones, followed by kicker Olindo Mare's 46-yard field goal. Seattle would add onto their lead in the second quarter with Mare's 37-yard field goal, yet the Bears would answer with quarterback Jay Cutler's 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen.

Chicago would take the lead in the third quarter with Cutler's 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox, followed by kicker Robbie Gould's 37-yard field goal. The Seahawks would reply in the fourth quarter with Mare's 39-yard and 46-yard field goal, yet the Bears would prevail as Cutler completed a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Hester, followed by a 2-point conversion pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett. Afterwards, Chicago's defense would hold on for the win.

With the win, the Bears improved to 2–1.

Week 4

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Lions 14 703 24
Bears 7 141314 48

Coming off their road win over the Seahawks, the Bears went home for a Week 4 NFC North duel with the Detroit Lions. Chicago surprisingly trailed early in the first quarter as Lions running back Kevin Smith got a 1-yard touchdown run. The Bears would answer with quarterback Jay Cutler's 5-yard touchdown run, yet Detroit came right back with quarterback Matthew Stafford's 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Will Heller. Chicago would take the lead in the second quarter with Cutler's 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Davis and a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen, yet the Lions would tie the game prior to halftime with Smith's 3-yard touchdown run.

The Bears would start the third quarter with a bang as rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox returned the half's opening kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. Later on, kicker Robbie Gould would add onto Chicago's lead with a 52-yard and a 22-yard field goal. Detroit tried to rally in the fourth quarter with kicker Jason Hanson's 35-yard field goal, yet the Bears pulled away with running back Matt Forté's 37-yard touchdown run and running back Garrett Wolfe's 2-yard touchdown run.

With the win, Chicago would enter its bye week at 3–1.

Week 6

Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons
1 234Total
Bears 0 707 14
Falcons 0 1407 21

Coming off their bye week, the Bears flew to the Georgia Dome for a Week 6 Sunday night duel with the Atlanta Falcons. Following a scoreless first quarter, Chicago delivered the game's opening strike in the second quarter with quarterback Jay Cutler completing a 23-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Johnny Knox. However, the Falcons would respond with quarterback Matt Ryan hooking up with wide receiver Roddy White on a 40-yard touchdown pass and finding tight end Tony Gonzalez on a 10-yard touchdown.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Bears tied the game in the fourth quarter with Cutler hooking up with tight end Greg Olsen on a 2-yard touchdown pass. However, Atlanta struck back with a 5-yard touchdown run from running back Michael Turner. Cutler would get Chicago's offense deep into Falcon territory, but Atlanta's defense would spoil the comeback.

With the loss, the Bears fell to 3–2.

Week 7

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
1 234Total
Bears 0 307 10
Bengals 14 1777 45

Hoping to rebound from their Sunday night road loss to the Falcons, the Bears flew to Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 7 interconference duel with the Cincinnati Bengals. Chicago would trail early in the first quarter as Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer found wide receiver Chris Henry on a 9-yard touchdown pass and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Things continued to get worse for the Bears as Palmer completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end J.P. Foschi and an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laveranues Coles, followed by a 29-yard field goal from kicker Shayne Graham. Chicago would close out the half as kicker Robbie Gould booted a 22-yard field goal.

Afterwards, Cincinnati would pull away with Palmer finding Ochocinco again on a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and former Bears running back Cedric Benson getting a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Chicago would end the game with quarterback Jay Cutler's 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Hester.

With the loss, the Bears fell to 3–3.

Week 8

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Browns 0 060 6
Bears 6 1077 30

Hoping to rebound from their horrendous road loss to the Bengals, the Bears went home for a Week 8 interconference duel with the Cleveland Browns. Before the game, a pregame ceremony was held for the late Walter Payton, who died exactly 10 years ago on November 1.

Chicago got off to a fast start in the first quarter as kicker Robbie Gould made a 37-yard and a 29-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bears would add onto their lead as Gould booted a 32-yard field goal, followed by running back Matt Forté got a 1-yard touchdown run. In the third quarter, the Browns would get onto their board with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Derek Anderson (with a blocked PAT). Afterwards, Chicago would continue their dominating day with a 10-yard touchdown run by Forté. The Bears would then close out the game in the fourth quarter with cornerback Charles Tillman returning an interception 21 yards for a touchdown.

With the win, Chicago improved to 4–3.

Week 9

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Cardinals 14 1737 41
Bears 7 0014 21

Coming off their win over the Browns, the Bears stayed at home for a Week 9 duel with the Arizona Cardinals. Chicago would trail early in the first quarter as Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner hooked up with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Bears would answer as quarterback Jay Cutler competed a 33-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen, but Arizona came right back as Warner hooked up with tight end Ben Patrick on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Chicago would find themselves in a huge deficit in the second quarter as Warner completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Fitzpatrick and a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Becht, followed by kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 43-yard field goal.

The Cardinals would add onto their lead as Rackers booted a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter. The Bears tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Cutler connected with Olsen on a 3-yard and a 20-yard touchdown pass, but Arizona pulled away with Warner completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Breaston.

With the loss, Chicago fell to 4–4.

Week 10

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
1 234Total
Bears 0 330 6
49ers 0 703 10
The Bears run onto the field before their game against the 49ers

Hoping to rebound from a miserable home loss to the Cardinals, the Bears flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 10 Thursday night duel with the San Francisco 49ers, led by head coach Mike Singletary (former Bears linebacker).

After a scoreless first quarter, Chicago would trail in the second quarter as 49ers running back Frank Gore got a 14-yard touchdown run. The Bears would close out the half with a 50-yard field goal from kicker Robbie Gould. In the third quarter, Chicago would inch closer with Gould's 38-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco would answer with kicker Joe Nedney making a 21-yard field goal. The Bears would get have a late game drive go deep into 49er territory, but an interception by safety Michael Lewis ended any hope of a win.

With the loss, the Bears fell to 4–5.

Quarterback Jay Cutler (29/52 for 307 yards) would throw for a career-worst 5 interceptions in one game.

Week 11

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Eagles 10 077 24
Bears 0 9110 20

Week 12

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
1 234Total
Bears 0 730 10
Vikings 0 2439 36

Week 13

St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Rams 0 333 9
Bears 10 070 17

Week 14

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
1 234Total
Packers 10 308 21
Bears 0 770 14

Week 15

Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
1 234Total
Bears 0 700 7
Ravens 14 0170 31

Week 16

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
1 234OTTotal
Vikings 0 013170 30
Bears 3 13776 36

Week 17

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
1 234Total
Bears 3 10717 37
Lions 3 7310 23

References

  1. "Griese traded to Bucs | Tampa Bay Buccaneers blog: Bucs Beat | tampabay.com & Tampa Bay Times". Tampabay.com. 2008-03-03. Archived from the original on 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  2. "Bears trade for Tampa Bay lineman". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  3. "Chicago Bears acquire Jay Cutler from Denver Broncos for Kyle Orton, picks – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  4. "Bears bring QB Brett Basanez back home". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  5. "Bears agree to terms with free agent lineman Omiyale". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  6. "Bears agree to terms with free agent safety Bullocks". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  7. "Bears agree to terms with free agent tackle Shaffer". Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  8. "Landing franchise QB not every day (or decade) occurrence – Chicago Bears". Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  9. "Bears agree to deal with Orlando Pace". Chicagobears.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  10. "Bears agree to terms with tight end Michael Gaines – Chicago Bears". Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  11. "Coaches". Chicago Bears. 2009-01-10. Archived from the original on 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  12. "Lovie Smith takes over Chicago Bears' defensive play calling – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
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