The Detroit Lions stated their case for a Super Bowl run in emphatic fashion by thumping the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night 31-9. It was a victory that handed them the NFC North title and the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, it also had major implications for the Chicago Bears. For starters, by locking up a playoff bye, NFL rules allow anybody on the Lions coaching staff to interview for possible head coaching jobs this coming week. That means the Bears can meet with Ben Johnson, their perceived top candidate for the vacant position.
Getting an early start could give them a strong chance to make a positive impression on the ascending coach. At the same time, the victory also assisted the Bears in their 2025 draft position. While they are locked in at the 10th overall pick, Chicago did see their 2nd round slot improve considerably. Thanks to Detroit's win and one from the New York Jets over Miami, the Carolina pick from the Bryce Young trade went from 42nd overall to 39th. For those wondering how much this matters, here's a list of recent names from both slots.
42nd:
- Luke Musgrave
- Andrew Booth
- Liam Eichenberg
- Laviska Shenault
- Drew Lock
39th:
- Braden Fiske
- Jonathan Mingo
- Kyler Gordon
- Teven Jenkins
- Robert Hunt
The Chicago Bears are in a great position to upgrade the roster.
They have three picks in the top 41 slots this April. That is a golden opportunity for any team to land three potential front-line starters. If Ryan Poles, presuming he remains GM, plays his cards right, this team could be a lot better by the start of next season. Early belief is the Bears will focus on the trenches. They badly need better blocking on the interior of their offensive line and could also use another legitimate pass rusher. Much depends on how the board falls in the 1st round and what they do in free agency.
Either way, Chicago Bears fans should send thank-you cards to their residential Lions fans. Their team helped set this one up for a productive off-season. All Poles has to do is take advantage. First, he must find a new head coach. Perhaps he might get that from Detroit as well, plucking offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. After that, it will be a sprint to the spring, preparing for one of the more consequential drafts in the past decade.
