This Overlooked Game Made Chicago Bears Draft Outlook Even Better

The Chicago Bears are concluding one of the most surreal weekends in living memory. Nobody was surprised when they lost to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Most of their starting lineup was out with injuries. It was a foregone conclusion to most. A loss would secure the Bears the #2 overall pick in the 2023 draft. People wanted to see whether the Houston Texans would defy the laws of tanking and go for the win over the Indianapolis Colts. Doing so would hand the #1 overall pick to the Bears. In a wild finish, Houston stunned Indy 32-31 in the final seconds for the win. Chicago suddenly holds the draft's top prize for the first time since 1947.

Even as fans celebrated, there was more good news to come that people missed. It came out west where the Denver Broncos finally pulled themselves together and defeated the Los Angeles Chargers. That victory pushed their original 1st round pick to #5 on the draft board. That means the Seattle Seahawks will pick 5th. It allowed the Colts to jump to the #4 spot. That means two of the three teams directly behind the Bears are now in the hunt for a new quarterback. This could create a serious bidding war for any team wishing to get their QB of choice in the draft.

The Chicago Bears have tons of leverage now.

Not only do they hold the #1 pick, but it appears the top quarterbacks in the 2023 class are building some intense hype. Both Bryce Young of Alabama and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State were outstanding in the college football playoffs. That image will linger for months. If they can do well in interviews and pre-draft work, then teams might be willing to mortgage their futures to get one of them. It depends on what Poles wants to do. If he's comfortable giving up the possibility of drafting Will Anderson or Jalen Carter, then it's a safe bet a blockbuster deal will be swung before the draft begins in April.

Then again, they could look for a minor trade with either the Colts or Texans. Such moves might not yield gigantic returns in picks, but it would get them some extra ammunition while maintaining the opportunity to nab Anderson or Carter. That is where the Colts landing #4 is so important. There is almost a 100% chance either of those top defenders will still be on the board at that spot. The Chicago Bears can go in several different directions. They haven't had flexibility like this in many years.