Losing to the Philadelphia Eagles was expected. The Chicago Bears deserve credit for making it a game. They were ravaged by injuries but persevered against the best team in the NFC. Justin Fields continued to look like a star. Most importantly, though, depending on who you ask, the team’s draft position for 2023 remains secure. Their loss dropped them to 3-11 on the season, the second-worst record in the NFL. Three games are left on the schedule. All three are against some of the hottest teams in the league (Buffalo, Detroit, and Minnesota).
However, it gets even better for the Bears. Events happened elsewhere that put them in a premium position to lock down one of the top spots in the draft. Let’s start with down south in New Orleans. The Saints moved to 5-9 on the season by defeating their rival Atlanta Falcons. That win pushed their 1st round pick, traded to the Eagles, down to 9th in the new draft order. Based on current math, it also means that Chicago is guaranteed a top four pick even if they win one of their final three games.
It gets better. The injury to Kyler Murray was devastating for the Arizona Cardinals. One team that stood to benefit was the Denver Broncos, who played them next on the schedule. Despite an ugly game, they finished the job with a 24-15 victory. That puts them at 4-10 on the year, costing the Seattle Seahawks control of the #2 overall pick. The Bears hold that honor now. If they lose their remaining games, that will be cemented.
The Chicago Bears could be poised for a swift turnaround.
While nothing is guaranteed in the draft, the #2 pick has proven quite lucrative when picking non-quarterbacks over the past decade. The slot has produced names like Ndamukong Suh, Von Miller, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young. Imagine how much better the Bears’ defense could look with one of those guys thrown into the mix. Early projections show the 2023 class is loaded at the top with defensive linemen. Will Anderson of Alabama and Jalen Carter of Georgia lead the way. Poles could pick either one and make fans happy. Or he can auction the slot off to the highest bidder seeking a QB and stockpile more picks.
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Everything points to the Chicago Bears ending up with a top five pick. They don’t have enough bodies to win any upcoming games. Their only hope is if Minnesota decides to rest their starters in the season finale. There is no reason to think they can’t come out of next April with a blue-chip talent for their roster. That doesn’t even factor in their loads of salary cap space in free agency. Barring a monumental fumble, this team should be much better by next summer when Poles’ work is done.
The Lions are actually a decent team this year wdym
Side note: That 2nd round pick CHI have up for Clay Chasepool keeps getting costlier and costlier -gonna end up being the 34th overall pick for him, oy vey.
Not sure why you would write off the possibility of beating the Lions and only mention the Vikings. The Lions aren’t that good to assume they will automatically beat the Bears.
congrats, you finally got the draft order correctly!! Even factored in Denver playing the Rams, root for a tie
LOVE this!! “Based on current math, it also means that Chicago is guaranteed a top four pick even if they win one of their final three games.” amazing. I never cheer for a lose but playing close and not embarrassing counts for something. Which we did…and have done in all but 1 or 2 games. So I’m ‘at peace’ with losing close(this season). 2023… .500 2024 playoff relevant!! praying JF ‘leg issue’ wasn’t something MORE than just cramps. (might be a blessing if it was something that had him out for 1 game. Buffalo’s defense will have NO MERCY…and I… Read more »