Leaving the Windy City hasn't proven to be the most fruitful endeavor for many former players (or coaches, for that matter). Although some former Chicago Bears didn't exactly choose to leave, many players find that leaving a certain situation doesn't always mean getting to a better one.
In other words, be careful what you wish for. Sometimes, the grass is greener where you water it.
Which former Chicago Bears failed miserably with other teams in the 2023 season? Let's take a look at a handful of players elsewhere in the league.
1. Allen Robinson, WR, Steelers
Allen Robinson is a shell of the player who racked up 1,250 receiving yards with the Bears back in 2020. It's almost hard to believe that a player of his caliber, who is only 30 years of age, has fallen off of such a steep cliff.
After failing with the Los Angeles Rams, Robinson has once again found himself in a new NFL city (Pittsburgh) and producing less than he ever has. He's played in all 16 games, has averaged just 8.2 yards per reception, and has zero touchdowns. His QB rating when targeted is 76.7.
It's been a horrendous season for Robinson in 2023 and you can't help but wonder how many more chances he's actually going to get.
2. Chase Claypool, WR, Dolphins
The Chicago Bears' decision to trade a second-round pick for Chase Claypool last year was ridiculous in the first place. They got almost nothing of real value in return for Claypool, whether we're talking about on-field production or in the trade with the Dolphins.
Since being traded to Miami, Claypool has caught three passes for just 23 yards. The move to Miami felt like something that could really benefit Claypool and his skill set, but ever since he started making a fuss in Pittsburgh, he's been a complete bust.
Not only was Claypool a waste of the Bears' time, but he might prove to be a waste of the Dolphins' time as well.
3. Adrian Amos, S, Jets/Texans
The former Chicago Bears star safety and big-money free agent for the Green Bay Packers has found himself looking for work on multiple occasions this season.
Amos, a captain for the Green Bay Packers at one point, signed with the New York Jets who had some injuries in their secondary, but he couldn't last there. That's not a great sign, and it's not a great sign that he hasn't been able to be a real solution for the Houston Texans given their injury issues in the secondary as well.
Amos was part of an outstanding Chicago Bears defense, once upon a time, and had a solid stint with the Green Bay Packers after he left Chicago in free agency. But after being cut by the Jets in 2023, it looks like he might be approaching the end of the road.
4. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Steelers
Is this evergreen content at this point?
As much as you feel bad for even saying it, because this is a dead horse that has been beaten over and over again, Mitchell Trubisky was once again a failure in 2023. The Pittsburgh Steelers made this bed, relying on Trubisky as their primary QB2, and he nearly cost them a shot at the playoffs.
His performance may yet cost them, we'll have to wait and see what Week 18 brings.
In five games, Trubisky posted a 71.9 QB rating, the lowest of his NFL career. And that's saying something.
5. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB/KR, Falcons
There are a lot of factors that could have contributed to the "failure" that was the 2023 season for Cordarrelle Patterson, and many of them were the Falcons' own doing. Atlanta simply cut Patterson's snaps out of their playbook and gave all of them to star rookie Bijan Robinson and second-year player Tyler Allgeier.
Atlanta could have traded Patterson to someone who could have used him, but they held him hostage instead, making this season a complete and utter failure. Patterson racked up 19 total touchdowns from 2021-22, and played just 169 snaps this season, the second-lowest total of his NFL career.
The former Chicago Bears return man and offensive utility player wasted a valuable year at the age of 32 with the clock ticking on his time in the NFL.
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