Chicago Bears Now One Game Away From Controlling The 2023 Draft

It wasn't the competitive game some fans probably wanted. The Chicago Bears were run out of the building by the Detroit Lions in a blowout loss. It wasn't a huge surprise. Detroit was at home, healthier, and playing for a chance to reach the playoffs. The Bears are riddled with injuries and playing out the string of a lost season. Such losses can happen in those situations. It isn't easy to watch. Many fans are in doom and gloom mode. The reality is GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus knew this year would be tough.

It was always about the long-term view. They want to build this team the right way. That means focusing on younger players they can develop. Unfortunately, that requires losing. For once it appears the Bears are following the script correctly. Thanks to this loss in Detroit, the team is now guaranteed at least the 4th overall pick in the 2023 draft. That is great news for a team desperately short of high-end talent. It offers them a huge opportunity to add help in key areas of need such as the defensive line or offensive line.

At the same time, it keeps the door open to climb even higher. A loss in the season finale against Minnesota would assure the Bears control of the #2 overall pick. That means they either get to select the best non-QB in the class or they can auction the spot off to a QB-needy team for a bounty of picks.

The Chicago Bears may end up in an ideal position.

Right now, the pecking order is Houston at #1 and Chicago at #2. Everybody expects the Texans will take one of the top two quarterbacks in the 2023 class. Either Bryce Young of Alabama or C.J. Stroud of Ohio State. Both looked outstanding in their final college games over the weekend. Hype is already building. Presuming one of them goes 1st overall, it means the Bears would control the rights to the other at #2. That would almost certainly compel teams further down the board that needs a quarterback to move up.

Indianapolis, Atlanta, Carolina, and Las Vegas are all possibilities. Even those outside the top 10 like Tennessee and the Jets must be considered. It comes down to what any of them are willing to offer. Poles isn't going to sell that pick for cheap. He'll expect massive compensation in return. The Chicago Bears know such a deal could jumpstart their rebuild. It wasn't easy to endure, but this season went about as well as they could've hoped for in ensuring their best opportunity to build this roster for the long term.