New Update Drastically Alters Chicago Bears' 2023 Draft Plans

With four games left, the 2023 NFL draft picture is finally coming into focus. Right now, the Chicago Bears control the #2 overall pick in the 1st round. They'll be guaranteed at least a top three selection if they lose their remaining four games. That puts them in a serious position of power. GM Ryan Poles would have significant flexibility to either take the best player on his board or, as many Bears fans continue to urge, consider trading down to stockpile more picks. Moves up into the top five are commonplace these days as teams hunt for the next great quarterback. With Justin Fields in place, the Bears don't have that concern.

That means they can shop the pick to a QB-needy team for a king's ransom. However, certain conditions must be met for that to happen. They need teams behind them that desire a quarterback and at least one team further down the board willing to move up. One team that seemed to meet both criteria was the Detroit Lions. While they've had some recent success, most people think they'll jump at the chance to find a quarterback to eventually replace Jared Goff. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network poured cold water on that idea.

"Most of the NFL world considers Jared Goff to be a bridge for the Lions, a starter to help them get to the real franchise starting QB at some point in the future. That is, everyone except the Lions.

Winner of four of its last five games, Detroit is one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Goff's play is a big reason why.

As the Lions prepare to face the Vikings today, they do so with a 5-7 record and with Goff playing as well as he's played since 2018.

As sources have explained, Goff is believed to be their starting QB. Period. Not just until someone else comes along. With all due respect to the unknown -- weird things happen in the NFL -- the plan is for Goff to be in Detroit for the future."

The Chicago Bears trade down ideas take a hit if this is true.

Detroit controls the 4th overall pick currently from the Los Angeles Rams. That means not only are they not a trade-up candidate, but they're also not someone other teams have to worry about taking a quarterback. So it's a double hit for the Bears. That means if Poles did decide to move down, the urgency from other teams to move up would be slackened. Not only that, but there is a virtual guarantee one of the players the Bears may want to snag after moving down will be selected by the Lions.

In other words, the incentive to move down at all has likely taken a big hit at this news. The Chicago Bears may like the idea of collecting extra 1st and 2nd round picks by moving down. Then again, passing up on potential instant-impact talents like Will Anderson and Jalen Carter might not be a sacrifice they're willing to make. This is especially true if one of them ends up landing in Detroit. Perhaps plans will change if the Lions' pick falls further down the board in the season's final month. Trade enthusiasts may have to prepare for disappointment as things stand right now.