The playoffs are not yet set, and we still have a week left to play in the 2023 regular season, but today it was determined that the Chicago Bears will own the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft this coming April. The Bears’ claim to the top overall selection is a result of two games that they had no part in today. It was a Panthers loss and a Cardinals win that ultimately determined the fate of the No. 1 pick. 
The reason these two games affected Chicago comes from last year’s trade that enabled Carolina to draft rookie quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick in 2023. Chicago had possession of the draft’s top pick last year, as well. Having just selected quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th pick in 2021, the Bears didn’t feel the need to stay at No. 1, where Young was the heavy favorite to be selected, deciding instead to shop the pick for additional assets.
[RELATED: Latest On Bears’ Quarterback Situation]
They found buyers in Carolina who sent a haul of draft assets to the Bears. In addition to shipping wide receiver D.J. Moore, who has quietly been one of the NFL’s more consistent receivers, the Panthers sent Chicago the Nos. 9 and 61 picks of the 2023 draft, their first-round pick in 2024, and their second-round pick in 2025. The Bears flipped the No. 9 pick for the No. 10 pick from Philadelphia, which they used to draft their starting right tackle Darnell Wright, as well as a 2024 fourth-rounder. They paired the No. 61 pick with a 2023 fifth-round pick in order to move up to No. 56 and draft University of Miami cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who has started every game but one this year and recorded his third and fourth career interceptions today.
The key part of that trade now, though, appears to be the 2024 first-round pick that, thanks to the Panthers league-worst 2-14 record, will end up being the top overall pick in the draft. The Patriots, Commanders, and Cardinals held some hope of securing that draft slot coming into the week, with New England and Washington needing the Panthers to win out in order to have any chance, but today’s loss put Carolina out of reach of both teams. The Cardinals could’ve still had a chance next week if they hadn’t shockingly beaten the Eagles today, moving them out of range, as well.
What’s interesting is that the Bears will find themselves in a very similar position to last year. Once again, a quarterback, USC’s Caleb Williams, is the consensus favorite to be the first player selected in the draft. There were some questions about Fields throughout the team’s 14-game losing streak dating back to last year, but since ending the streak, the Bears have gone an impressive 7-5 with Fields going 5-2 as a starter. The Bears may once again decide that they believe in Fields as their quarterback of the future and decide they don’t want Williams at No. 1. Now, they could simply decide to pivot and not select a quarterback, opting to bring in Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or shocking the world by selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 1. Much more likely, Chicago may, once again, put the pick up for grabs to the highest bidder.
There are going to be a number of quarterback-needy teams heading into the draft this year. The Patriots have effectively moved on from former first-round pick Mac Jones in favor of Bailey Zappe. The Raiders are starting fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell over free agent acquisition Jimmy Garoppolo. Kirk Cousins is currently on the road towards free agency in Minnesota. The Falcons and Buccaneers have options that may not inspire much confidence moving forward. And the Commanders and Giants entered the year thinking they had answers at quarterback that they may be questioning now.
Regardless, the No. 1 overall pick is the Bears to decide what to do with. They may decide to add to their offensive line or bring in a weapon for Fields, they could decide to bring in some competition for Fields, or for the second straight year, general manager Ryan Poles may flex once again and flip the pick for a massively improving haul. Time will tell, but Chicago’s fate is currently in its own hands, thanks to Carolina.
Fields has plateaued as a good but not great QB. Time to try again at drafting a franchise quarterback.
Absurd, let’s get rid of a *good* qb that we are gaining momentum with and he has made throws no Bears fan has ever seen, to take a risk on a rookie who honestly looks like Fields but 2 inches shorter and 20 lbs lighter and slower….DJ Moore should have made Bears fans realize that players like Mooney are just run of the mill randos, while real talent can help your quarterback, draft MHJ and Chop Robinson then the best Center possible in the 3rd
I find it hilarious that every one of those articles about the draft lists the Patriots needs and QB isn’t there. If the Bears want MHJ then the Patriots would seem like the perfect trade partner as Washington will take a QB and I would like to think the Patriots would like one also, Especially if they have a new coach. Bears could trade down and still get their man. If they can get a bigger haul by going back a little further then there are other WR’s that can still help. I agree with you that drafting Williams would be a waste, Fields is bigger, stronger and now has 3 years experience that would be scrapped with a new QB. The best QB lessons are learned on the field and this would be starting over. Richardson was the hype last year and he lasted like 4 games and he was gone for the season. They just need to get Fields a little more help to put him over the top. I’m not saying the Bears shouldn’t draft a good young QB later to groom as a backup and potential trade chip later. Maybe with their own pick. A guy like Ewers or Daniels. Daniels might be the guy because you wouldn’t have to change the offense for him. I still think the Bears really wanted Hooker last year and got jumped by Detroit. Getsy really liked him and spent most of the time at the Senior Bowl with him, Even though he couldn’t play.
Going to be interesting, do they trade back again an accumulate more?
I’m in the camp that Fields is not terrible, just has not had an offense geared to him like a Lamar, Purdy, or Hurts.
They can’t trade back too far since Marvin Harrison Jr is going top 3. Oline they can probably get with their own pick. If they want to double up on oline they could still trade back.
A good amount of plays seem to happen due to Fields escaping and being one of the fastest players. Those are sacks if Caleb or Maye are Qbs.
Trade back one or two spots for this & next year’s first round, plus a fourth this year. Regardless, take Harrison Jr.
The QB position is where it all begins and ends. Until they find/draft THE guy, all the ancillary pieces are just window dressing. Even a potentially great WR. We’re seeing it with the Bengals right now- They can have Chase and Higgins and Boyd but with no Burrow, they’re done. Fields is good, but so far not great. Poles has to move on.
IMO Fields has made strides as a QB. Seems like Getsy and Fields are learning together. He doesn’t try to run every play and has actually learned that there IS a pocket and he at least needs to START OFF in it. And when he does, It actually holds up pretty well except for the creepy C’s. Plus he moves around and looks downfield first, and has actually learned when to throw the ball away. It’s progress. Shoring up the middle of the O line will help even more. Jenkins is great when he plays but it’s not a full time thing with him. Davis and Patrick are pathetic and need replacing. He just needs another WR and a backup TE and we’re set. Having said that it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t draft another guy like Quinn Ewers or Jayden Daniels later to have somebody else around. Bagent is more like a 3rd guy to me.
I think it’s possible Fields takes the next step. I have no belief in Getsy. I think that even if they keep Eberflus (Lovie 2.0) and Fields, they have to make a change at OC. IMO…
No one is giving up that much for anything other than the #1 pick.
Huh? You trade down the Number 1 pick and you get another top 10 pick, and a 2nd, And maybe a 3rd next year and a player they need like they did with Moore. That’s 4 guys there. You trade down the 10 pick some places and you get another 3rd and a 4th. Now you have a top 10 pick, A top 20 pick, a 2nd, 2 3rds, and 3 4th’s.That’ll go a long way. And if you want you have 2 2nds next year 1 of which is Carolina’s which should be at the top of the 2nd round and get a 2nd round this year and another pick next year because that 2nd is like a late 1st. There’s a ton of things they can do to get all that this year, ZERO Problem.
And I’m not even counting the almost 70 million they’ll have to spend in FA, Depending on whether they Keep JJ. Poles has a ton of cards to play. He’s pretty much in control of the whole draft at this point. The bidding for that # 1 pick should be fierce. And don’t discount him being able to trade that down twice for another haul, Like I thought he would do last year before Carolina went crazy.
For all the dung put on Bears GM when you look at those transaction they’re slicker than snot. It’d be cool if all of their trades and draft slot moves pan out to bring that team into a contender.
Wonder what they’ll manage this go round
Nope not a Bears fan.
Bears are in a weird position
Currently it’s
Bears
Commanders
Patriots
Cardinals
Giants
Titans
Chargers
Jets
Falcons
Bears
Of them chargers giants titans cardinals have committed something to a “franchise qb”
Bears can’t trade too far back cause they’ll miss out out on Harrison jr, nabers, bowers. Earliest trade back that could yield a decent return is falcons who aren’t in a position to draft at the top.
Doubt patriots trade up and commanders could just play the waiting game to see if bears pass up on Williams or stay pat and take Maye as a backup plan.
If I’m the bears and can’t find a decent trade situation I’m taking Harrison jr and trading up from 10 to grab Joe alt
If the Pats let Bill go, that new coach is going to want a QB. That franchise will likely want one too after years of Brady. I think they may trade up to 1. Bears would be in the perfect spot to pick Harrison Jr and get picks.
Tenn (7) behind LAC (6)
Whatever the Bears do, it most likely will be the wrong decision. Their history says so. I wouldn’t draft Williams. He can’t beat top 25 ranked teams.
Bears will find a way to trade the first overall pick for Connor Bedard.
Is he a FB, kicker, or punter? May be a long snapper?
Trade the pick for a haul again and keep building up this young roster with New blood. Fields looked great day when they built his throws off of play action and boots
He played well, but he WAS playing the Falcons, not exactly the best defensive squad in the league.
I like the guy. He’s a great athlete. But his 4th qtr numbers are horrible. He has rarely shown that he can bring a team back in crunch time. That is first and foremost what they need.
Also has a great running game to help him out
Questions how would Fields do with good head coach. Has not had one yet. second was Williams more like player this year or last. Again question comes down to coaching with him.
The way Jalen Hurts is playing this year. I think Fields would perform better than him in Philly. It comes down to coaching and supporting cast.
When Christian McCaffery called the Eagles play on the Manning cast, it should be a sign that a new OC is needed.
Caleb Williams is Bo Callahan…PASS
You mean the next Bo Callahan. We’ve already seen Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, etc etc etc
And we are now left to wonder how many people showed up at Caleb Williams 21st birthday party???
Noice!
Keep fields lose getsy
This is an easy one for Ryan Pace draft Williams at the no 1 and trade fields to Atlanta for a second round pick. Pace wants to keep his job and If Williams comes into the NFL and is even close to for example what we saw from CJ Stroud this year and fields does more fields things and shows flashes but losses double digit games again everyone in Chicago is getting fired. If you ever want to compete deep into the playoffs you cant have a massive disadvantage at QB and expect to win.
This is pretty simple. U review the hell out of Williams.
1. if u decide he’s the next generational talent u draft him and trade fields.
2. If u decide he’s not quite that, you shop the pick and fields for franchise changing trades and u trade whichever gets y the most value.
The strong finish to season which included the great trade by Poles for Sweat has saved Poles, Eberflus and Fields time in Chicago. As good as Harrison could be, Bears need to maximize the value of first pick with an elite Franchise QB prospect being available. They can get a total haul for first pick and with the extra picks and available money under CAP hit in free agency. Contending for division title is definitely possible.
“Clinched” the top pick … does that phrase only bother me??
I guess Ely is trying to convince us that the Bears had some elaborate master plan that they had been working on for months, to achieve this objective…which in itself is rather comical.
I thought from the day the trade was made the Panthers pick this year had a shot to be #1. All those Preseason predictions that they would be middle of the pack made me laugh. Then they went and picked the wrong QB which made it even better and then fired the Coach who had the most to teach the poor young guy. And that 2nd pick in 2025 should be a top of the round pick also because i don’t see the Panthers getting a whole lot better next year.
Here’s a “Worst They Do Is Say No”:
Fields & ‘24 2nd Round for Washington’s #2
Then pull a ‘23 Houston and take Williams & Harrison
I mean, since we’re just spitballing right?
Except for 1 thing. The Bears don’t have a 2nd round pick after trading it for Sweat. And it would be shot down in 2 seconds even if they did. But keep trying, Or maybe not.
The Bears have some pieces but a lot of needs. All I’m saying is that the qb’s left at the top of the second round (Penix, Shedeur, Bo Nix group) have a lot more potential than you usually find there in most years. If the Bears can move back a few spots and pickup an early second they could take a solid qb in the second round and get two studs at any of WR, OT, Edge positions with their two picks in the top 10-12.
Poles is really in a WIN/WIN situation thanks to that CAR trade.
IF they believe Fields is the guy or even could be the guy. Trade down making sure the package includes a future 1st. That way, before you have to pay Fields NEXT offseason, you can get another year of evaluation. If it turns out he’s not your franchise QB, you’ll have multiple 1st rounders again in ‘25 and can draft any QB you want.
IF you’ve already made up your mind he’s not the guy, draft Williams 1st then get the best WR or EDGE depending on who slips when you’re on the clock w/ your second 1st rounder this year. It’s highly likely that Nabers or Verse will be on the board when the Bears get back on the clock with their own pick.
WIN/WIN
Fields isn’t the long awaited savior and Williams would be worse. A WR? Yeah, that worked out brilliantly when they made Kevin White a first round pick.
The bears were smart to do that trade last season it paid off so far. I think they should trade fields as I don’t think he will do well with the bears. he also runs to much and they will cause more injuries. he can be a decent QB but I don’t think that’s with the bears. I think the bears should draft a new QB .
the Panthers got a good QB I mean time will tell for sure and coaching will be a factor to.
Not sure which of the top QBs in this draft actually fit what Chicago tries to accomplish on offense.
Harrison is considered one of the ‘generational’ WR and I think the Bears would be insane not to ensure they get him in house. Any trade could nix that possibility and if trading that’d need to net more than 1 premium position cog.