The Bears enter the offseason with a plethora of needs to fill out their roster, but an intriguing array of means with respect to augmenting it in the months ahead. One of those, of course, is the first overall pick in this spring’s draft.
For much of the campaign, it appeared the top slot would ultimately go to the Texans. However, a last-minute, come-from-behind victory during Lovie Smith’s final game with Houston helped his former team secure the No. 1 selection. Chicago only remained in the running to ‘win’ the race to the bottom of the standings, though, due to a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak to close out the season. 
The Bears’ 3-14 record came as little surprise, given the team’s clear intentions of pursuing a multi-year rebuild under new general manager Ryan Poles. That included several veteran defenders heading elsewhere via trades or releases before and/or during the season as a means of clearing up cap space. That strategy has left the team with by far the most spending power in the league ahead of free agency.
After a number of high-end additions are presumably made in March, Poles and his staff will be tasked with determining their course of action with the No. 1 pick. Retaining the selection would enable them to bolster their defense with, for instance, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Long considered a candidate for the top spot in this class’ rankings, he could provide a considerable boost to a pass rush which finished last in the NFL in sacks with only 20.
Alternatively, the Bears could turn to Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at the top of the board. Chicago surrendered an average of 157 rushing yards per game in 2022, the second-worst mark in the league. Carter would help improve the team’s front seven both in that department, and as an interior pass-rusher as they look to rebuild their front seven. Opinion is split on which out of Anderson or Carter grades out as the best prospect, but either one would be considered a foundational piece for the Bears for years to come.
The situation is complicated, however, by the presence of Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman winner had another productive season with the Crimson Tide this year, putting him squarely in contention to hear his name called first on draft night – particularly if the QB-needy Texans had finished the year with the No. 1 pick. Chicago having that luxury adds to their possible moves to build for the future.
Drafting Young could give the franchise a long-term answer at the position, though Justin Fields showed signs of being able to do just that in his second NFL season. The 2021 first-rounder – whom Chicago’s previous regime traded up to draft – produced the second-most single-season rushing yards by a signal-caller in league history. At age 23 and with at least two more years of team control on his rookie contract (with the potential of another, via the fifth-year option), the Ohio State product would represent a logical candidate to be retained for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, Fields took a league-leading 55 sacks despite not playing a full campaign. He also led the NFL’s lowest-ranked passing attack, though the Bears’ weaknesses along the offensive line and distinct lack of proven pass-catchers certainly contributed to that as well. Questions regarding Fields’ upside as a passer could be made irrelevant from Chicago’s perspective if they become convinced Young (or another QB prospect) is worth taking first overall, an outcome which Poles recently downplayed the likelihood of.
“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done – we’re going to evaluate the draft class,” he said last week, “and I would say this: I would have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”
The other option the Bears have, of course, is trading out of the top slot to add more draft capital now and (potentially) next year as well. Such a move has not been seen since 2016, but if it were to happen, it would once again take place to pave the way for a team to guarantee they landed their desired quarterback. The Texans, armed with a second first-round pick, could be a candidate to move up one spot, but the Colts could be another after they made clear their willingness to be aggressive in adding at the position.
A move down the board would extend the Bears’ streak to 77 years without making the draft’s first selection, but it would allow them to increase their draft capital considerably. Chicago currently only owns three picks in the top 100 – a smaller figure than one may expect given their rebuilding status, but also one owing in part to the team’s trade deadline acquisition of wideout Chase Claypool. A trade keeping them in the top 10 of the first round order would take them out of contention for Anderson or Carter, but place them in good position to add another high-end talent, particularly one of the class’ top offensive tackles.
Which path do you see the Bears taking with the No. 1 pick? Have your say by voting in the poll below and weighing in via the comments section:
They need alot on both sides of the ball . Who ever said get a Qb is too quick to give up on a guy. It hard to win as a QB if you don’t have the coaching or team to back him. Just ask Daniel jones
Agreed. Simple as that, don’t understand how it could be any other way.
Agreed, completely. If they trade 1 to the Colts or Panthers, they would probably get a haul given other potential interested teams. That would set them up for the next few seasons. Add weapons to Fields’ arsenal and look out.
The kid can play. Fields can really play (…uninjured). The Bears need to trade down and their top 3 picks should go something along the lines of OL (1st), DL (1st), OL (2nd) then sign the two best free agent wide receivers money can buy.
Jakobi Meyers is your “best” free agent WR. I’d think you’re better off getting DL and OL in the free agent market and then drafting a WR (the TCU WR) in your scenario. Granted, it’s were you land on the draft board. Plus, you can never have enough DL or OL.
You might be right. I think these guys have to do their due diligence. I’m just leery of OL free agents because I’m a Broncos fan, but I guess you just can’t plan where injuries are going to stem from age or otherwise.
Drafting somebody tall like a Metcalf would be good for a mobile QB like fields and a good match-up with Kmet.
Best case scenario would be for the Texans to trade up and the bears get another 1st. Then The Colts to trade up and the bears get another 1st.
Best move is to trade with Colts. Still get Anderson or Carter plus extra picks.
That makes the most sense. I don’t know why the writer infers the only way they get Anderson or Carter is with the first pick. In a perfect scenario, they swap with Houston and then again with Indy and still get one of the defensive studs.
They should trade back but focus on getting a mixture of picks this year and next. That way you can gauge whether Fields is the guy with a few new weapons from the draft and FA but also if necessary have the ammunition to trade up and get a QB next year. I like Fields but I’m not sold he can take this team to the next level even with additional help and this gives them flexibility.
Trade it to the Steelers for Mike Tomlin and then we can make Flores head coach.
We’ve donated enough to the Steelers.
To which many of us are thankful. Our offense actually got better after he left. Mooney probably plays bigger than Claypool, too for whatever it’s worth.
Move on from Fields a running QB won’t last. Throwing for 100 yds a game in the nfl is not a winning formula.
Remember when people thought that about Jalen Hurts? Look what happened when Philadelphia got him an elite WR.
Fields has to stand behind a shaky offensive line and somehow find time to get the ball to an underwhelming group of WRs. He isn’t going to be throwing for three hundred yards a game in that situation. And if you don’t address that, no other QB is going to be the answer either. You’re just chasing your tail.
Trade back, add as many picks over the next 2 years as possible while you add help at OL, WR and DL. Then if you want to go draft another QB, which seems silly to me, at least do it next draft in a stronger class.
maybe if there was a sure thing at qb
you really think drafting a frail little Bama qb is the answer?
Like Lamar!
You have to trade back. Ideally to the Colts or one of the teams with multiple first round picks. I’d love to get multiple picks this year and next to really build that foundation.
Texans won’t trade up, cause they know the bears have fields and will go defensive if they have first choice. They can sit at second and take whatever QB they want.
Colts could trade up for the first spot if they love Young and don’t want the Texans to have him. But at the same time they can sit back at 4th and take a QB there and keep their draft capital.
At 5 I don’t think the Seahawks trade up, Geno just had a terrific year as a starter they’ll continue to build around him I think.
At 7 the raiders could move up. Very good chance they trade Carr but rumour has it they want Tom Brady.
8 the falcons could try move up for Young but at the same time they have so many needs and I doubt they want to give up the draft capital. They’ll let Ridder to continue to develop.
Carolina could try move up having wiffed on Darnold and Baker I’m not sure they want to give up even more draft capital for a QB.
The only other team I could see making a play is the Commaders. They have a couple strong pieces and adding a franchise QB would make a ton of sense however they just came out publicly backing the rookie they already have.
The trade market for the first overall pick looks a little dull so I think the Bears end up holding onto the picks and then should take Jalen Carter. Stop the running game and still provide some pressure on the passing game. In the second round go OL and probably same in the third round.
I think you’re underestimating the desperation teams feel when they don’t have a QB. I wouldn’t trade up for a QB in this class, and it sounds like you wouldn’t either… but we are not NFL GMs. We don’t have David Tepper to deal with, wanting an answer at the position. Neither of us just whiffed badly on Matt Ryan, either. It just takes one team for the Bears to get a nice trade package, and two teams bidding fetches them a massive haul.
teams trade up all the time if they know someone else is going to trade infront of them.
I remember the browns giving up a haul to move up 1 spot to select Trent Richardson
.. however my POV from Houston on this class is you take Markelle Fultz (Bryce) and I’ll decide between Lonzo (Stroud) and potential superstar Tatum (Levis)
Remember, we all thought the Seahawks got fleeced in the Wilson trade. Only a year later, it appears the opposite.
Your comment is the most naive I have seen. The trades don’t happen in a vacuum. For example, the Texans would trade up if they had to have a specific QB and they thought another team would also trade up to take him.
I don’t think we offer a long term deal to Geno. He should sign a min of 4 year deal. Get as much front end money as he can. Seattle will offer a 2year deal max.
Pete loves to move around in the first round. The QB class is much better than this year. They will run with lock at QB try and trade down for an extra first next year. If Stroud is there at 5 we will have multiple teams wanting to make that trade. We grab one of the edge rushers. If they can get 1 1st next year. Or better yet 2 we can move to get one of the 3-4 QBs next year. Makes sense to fill holes this year and go after a QB next year when there will be probably 4 that are better than what is coming out this year.
The no brainer approach would be to ask Ryan Pace what he would do and then do the exact opposite.
lmao
Or absolutely fleece Ryan Pace to make emends for his shortcomings as Bears GM. That’d be a trip if he and Lovie both helped us improve now.
“Blow it” was the obvious choice, but not even listed.
The Bears will blow this pick and squander any and every chance to get better.
This is what the Bears have done since the mid 80s.
Lots and lots of teams give up on QB’s after 2 years throughout the years. Bears should be no exception. Fields is not a good QB. Their priority should be a QB
by lots of teams I assume you mean the Jets and Browns.
If (and only if) they think a running QB is not the long term future and IF they like Young, i’d draft Young and trade Fields (likely a 1 and a 3). My opinion is that a “known entity” like a young Fields better than anyone not named Young or Stroud in this draft. He’s ready to go day one and run for 1,000 yards. If thats the path, there are about 5-6 potential trade partners. He’s cheaper than Lamar, who will likely cost $250M guaranteed and at least two one’s. You upgrade at QB, get younger with draft assets, and sign 3-4 free agents.
You aren’t getting a 1 for Fields. He hasn’t shown he can be good enough to be worth it. He needs a prove it year for a 1.
Fields can absolutely be a good QB. His offensive line was garbage, he had no quality WR other than Mooney who ended up getting hurt, and the play calling was really bad.
Four times ever that the #1 overall pick has been traded, so I’d wager on the side of them keeping it. I think they’re still hell bent on Fields as their franchise QB, so they’ll double down on their pride and take whom they view as the top DL at #1 (Will Anderson).
Best thing that can happen is that there becomes a large difference between Young and Stroud in the eyes of NFL teams. Increases value as no one wants the second best especially if they don’t fit the scheme or becomes a project. Some say the Bears should trade Fields and draft Young. They both have identical numbers in their last year so that doesn’t make sense. Fields just needs talent at the WR position.
I agree talent at wr and OL. Can pick one of those at 1st but I’m in the trade pick camp since they could load up more in those areas.
And an OL to protect him!
My hope as a bears fan is a trade with Indy that includes Nelson and Deforest and the #4 pick.
LOL the Colts aren’t trading Nelson.
I say they trade it to Carolina for the 9th pick and Burns. Get a blue chipper in Burns and can go after some OL help with he 9th pick.
For the Bears a lot of the draft will take shape once we see what they do in free agency. One thing is for certain, they are not trading down past the Lions at #6.
They need to get a bidding war going between the Texans and Colts. They can still get one of the top 2 defenders if they move back to 4. Unless they decide Young is too good to pass up and can get a taker for Fields. Depending what they could get for Fields that’s the way I would probably lean. But the dumbest thing they could do is stand pat.
I don’t think Young is that far above Stroud or Levis. Colts can just sit tight at 4 and draft one of those guys.
After two years Fields has shown elite rushing skills. Great for fantasy. I wouldn’t completely rule out drafting a qb.
Bears aren’t going to be in position to get the number one qb next year without a crazy future killing trade. You’re in position this year, a position many desperately want to be in. If QB is your need, take it now. If not, maximize value and trade back gradually.
NEXT year is the good QB draft – thus the Bears should trade their 2023 spot for picks they can leverage to find a QB in 2024.
I think they’ll end up keeping the pick and grabbing Anderson. Imo, what they should do is pick B. Young and trade Fields for more draft picks.
I distinctly remember lots of people last year saying, “This is a weak QB draft, next year will be better.” It’s next year, and I see a lot of people saying, “This is a weak QB draft, next year will be better.” What gets shown time and time again year in and year out is that nobody, not even skilled professionals whose job it is to evaluate talent, can guarantee a college QB’s success in the NFL. The NFL and college ball are simply completely different animals. Look at how many first rounders bust when they go pro, and look at this wildcard weekend, featuring a somewhat prominent sixth rounder and two seventh rounders, including Mr. Irrelevant.
Saw a rumor of Fields plus 1st and 2nd to the Ravens for Lamar.