Chicago Bears' Window To The #2 Pick Just Opened A Bit Wider

The Chicago Bears currently control the #3 pick in the draft. If they lose their remaining four games, they are guaranteed that. Whether they can go any higher depends on what happens with two other teams. The Houston Texans look like a virtual lock for the #1 overall pick. That leaves what is happening with the #2 selection. With their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Denver Broncos handed the Seattle Seahawks control of that spot. The only way Chicago gets it back is if the Broncos can somehow pull out one more win over the remaining four weeks.

Sometimes luck plays a part in these situations. The Bears may have gotten some courtesy of the much-feared Turf Monster. The Arizona Cardinals faced the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. On the game's third play, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray took off on one of his trademark scrambles. However, as he tried to cut back up the field, he crumpled to the ground with nobody around him. That is never a good sign. He was carted to the locker room and didn't return to the game. Initial updates from top insiders suggest he suffered a serious knee injury.

The timing of this could be huge for the Chicago Bears.

Why? Arizona plays the Denver Broncos next Sunday. Not having Murray under center would be a massive blow to their chances. It would also open the door for Denver to finally get back in the win column. Their defense is one of the best in the NFL. They shouldn't have too much trouble controlling the Cardinals with Colt McCoy at QB and no legitimate ground attack to speak of. If the Broncos' offense can muster 20-23 points, that should be enough for victory. Presuming the Bears lose as expected to Philadelphia, it puts them back in control of the #2 pick.

Little things like this can have an enormous impact on the future fortunes of a franchise. Imagine that it took a knee injury to a QB the Chicago Bears rarely see that may end up handing them their highest draft slot in years. Of course, all of that becomes moot if they end up winning a game before the season ends. Denver still has to do its part as well. That said, the dominoes are slowly falling into place. If the next four weeks go as they should, GM Ryan Poles will have control of arguably the most valuable pick in the 2023 draft.