Tank For The Next Von Miller? Chicago Bears Face That Dilemma

The Chicago Bears aren't going to be good in 2022. That is the stance almost every NFL expert has held since the off-season's primary phase ended. GM Ryan Poles appears to be in rebuild mode, tearing down large sections of the roster Ryan Pace built in favor of clearing cap space and laying the foundation for his own plans. That is hardly a unique approach. New GMs do it all the time. The problem is when this happens; the team suffers through a rough patch of losing for the next year or two. Some have even gone so far as to predict the Bears end up with the 1st overall pick in the 2023 draft next year. That is hard to see happening. While the team may not be good, they still have enough talent and an easy-looking schedule to squeeze 5-7 wins this year. That won't be good enough for the #1 pick. However, they might have the motivation to realize such a prediction based on the early reports coming from evaluations of the 2023 draft class.

It all starts with Will Anderson.

Pass rushers are considered one of the two or three premium positions in football that aren't quarterbacks. When it looks like a great one is ready to come out of college, teams are often scrambling for a chance to land him. Anderson fits that profile. He was an absolute terror for Alabama last season, racking up 17.5 sacks and 31 tackles for a loss. Former scout Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network went so far as to compare him to a future Hall of Famer.

"Von Miller. I realize this is high praise but I got the same vibe watching Anderson that I did when I studied Miller coming out of Texas A&M in 2011. Both guys have very long arms. They understand how to set up blockers and finish. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selectee, bends a little better than Anderson but I'd give the Bama edge rusher the nod when it comes to pure power."

Miller was the #2 overall pick in the 2011 draft. He has had 115.5 sacks in his career and won two Super Bowl championships. His gold jacket will be waiting for him after he retires. If Anderson is on that same tier, then the Bears have every reason to be excited about the idea of landing him. Poles had to see his Kansas City Chiefs deal with Miller for almost a decade. Matt Eberflus needs an excellent pass rusher to build around for his new defense, especially with Robert Quinn likely gone after this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feius1KTBZo&ab_channel=JustBombsProductions

Don't expect the Chicago Bears to lose on purpose.

Poles and Eberflus don't come across as those types of guys. They're competitors and believe in trying to win regardless of the roster composition. Sure, they made some short-term sacrifices in the name of long-term gains, but not to such an extent they don't feel this roster is incapable of at least competing. Do they think they can go after a playoff spot? Unlikely. Not with such an apparent lack of star power at several positions. Still, the facts are this team needs three wins or fewer this coming season to have a shot at Anderson. Barring injury, he will be a top 3 pick in the 2023 draft. The Chicago Bears had to go 3-13 the last time they secured a top 3 selection. That doesn't feel too probable. Not unless Justin Fields is a major disappointment and the defense falls off a cliff. Still, this is something to keep in mind if the Bears somehow end up in such a position.

That defense could be fierce for years to come.

Just imagine it. Anderson at defensive end. Roquan Smith at linebacker. Jaylon Johnson at cornerback. If Kyler Gordon and/or Jaquan Brisker can play up to their potential, teams won't like playing the Bears on Sundays. Of course, many fans may not like the idea of ignoring offense again so early in the draft. No matter how great Anderson may end up being.