Crazy Development Could Hand Chicago Bears More Draft Power

The Chicago Bears already hold significant leverage going into the 2023 NFL draft. They have the #1 overall pick. That is the golden ticket to any quarterback a team could want in the class. Better still, the Houston Texans are sitting behind them at #2. Everybody knows that team is going to draft a QB. So if another team in the top 10 wants their guy, they'll have to get ahead of Houston. GM Ryan Poles' phone has likely been ringing already since the regular season ended.

One would think there is no way the Bears could get any further leverage in this situation. You might be wrong. Something strange is happening over in Columbus. Thus far, two of the projected top 10 quarterbacks in the 2023 class have officially declared: Bryce Young of Alabama and Will Levis of Kentucky. The only remaining holdout is C.J. Stroud of Ohio State. It's been almost two weeks since his team lost the Peach Bowl to Georgia in the College Football Playoffs. Still no announcement. This is becoming a thing since there are less than three days left before the deadline for players to declare.

It gets even better. Star Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. sent out a cryptic tweet early Friday afternoon that he quickly deleted. Given the context, it's fair to say he might know something others haven't learned yet.

Don't forget Stroud is a junior. He has one more year of eligibility. His team came a missed field goal away from knocking off the eventual national champions. It isn't crazy to think people might be trying to convince him to run it back for one more year.

Stroud staying would be great news for the Chicago Bears.

One reason other teams in the top 10 have for not moving up is a belief they might have a decent shot of still getting a good quarterback. Say Young goes #2 to Houston. No big deal. Stroud and Levis are still talented guys. They might be worth the risk. That idea goes right out the window if Stroud stays in school. Suddenly those teams are down to one of two options, Young or Levis. The Texans are going to take one of them. That means if a team wants what they consider the superior of the two prospects, there is only one choice.

They must get the Chicago Bears #1 pick.

Sometimes good luck is needed to help turn around a struggling franchise. There is no question the Bears have already gotten their fair share in the past month. They needed Houston to make an insane 4th quarter comeback over Indianapolis to secure the 1st pick. Now one of the top quarterback prospects is flirting with the idea of staying in school, handing them even more draft leverage than they thought possible. The following 72 hours will be wild.