Why Chicago Bears 2024 Draft News Got Even Better Than You Think

Things couldn't have gone better for the Chicago Bears on Sunday if they'd mapped it out themselves. In their last home game of the season, they completely flattened the Atlanta Falcons 37-17. What made the victory so encouraging is the Bears didn't have much to play for. Everybody knew they were all but eliminated from the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Falcons were still within striking distance of a playoff spot. They had far more on the line. It didn't matter. The Bears thumped them anyway and did so with one of their strongest finishes in the 4th quarter this season.

Yet the great news didn't end there. The Jacksonville Jaguars, another team desperately clinging to playoff hopes, did their job far better by crushing the Carolina Panthers 26-0. That loss ensured they would finish with the worst record in the NFL this season, officially handed the #1 overall pick in the 2024 draft to the Bears by way of their trade back in March. GM Ryan Poles may go down in history for one of the biggest hoodwinks in recent memory. Not only did he land a star wide receiver from Carolina in that deal, but he also got the most valuable draft asset in what is expected to be a loaded class.

Yet the news gets even better.

The Chicago Bears have insane leverage now.

Earlier this year, everybody would've predicted the Bears would use that #1 pick on their quarterback of the future. Such thoughts seem unlikely now. Justin Fields has played really good football for the past two months. Since October 1st, he has accounted for 2,409 total yards, 16 total touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. Two of those interceptions came on Hail Mary attempts, too. It has easily been the most proficient stretch of his career, indicating he continues to trend in the right direction. Everybody wants him back. Fans chanted it. Teammates have publicly stated it. The only person left to convince is Poles himself.

Presuming the GM decides to stay the course, his plans for the #1 pick become obvious. He's going to trade it again. While he could stay put and take the best player on his board, like a Marvin Harrison Jr., Olu Fashanu, or Laia Laiatu, the incentive to deal the pick is way too strong. This is especially true because of the leverage he now enjoys.

The Arizona Cardinals beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday saw them drop in the draft order to the #4 spot. That enabled Washington to take over #2 and New England #3. Care to guess what they both have in common? Yep, they're desperate for quarterback help. Having two teams right behind them on the board that are guaranteed to take QBs means the value of the #1 pick is insane. If any team wants to get their preferred guy, they will have to pay through the nose to get him.