The Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after the Houston Texans decided they wanted to win their final game of the regular season. The Bears are in a unique position where they already have their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. While the Bears finished with a record of 3-14 they saw enough potential out of Fields with his dynamic rushing ability.
It seems unlikely that Bears general manager Ryan Poles doesn’t use the first overall pick to select a quarterback. There are several teams after the Bears such as the Texans, Colts, and Raiders that are in need of a franchise quarterback and may look to trade up. Poles hasn’t yet ruled out the option to hold onto the first pick.
#Bears General Manager Ryan Poles doesn't rule out taking a QB with the 1st overall pick in the 2023 Draft.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 10, 2023
However, he makes it clear it's unlikely: "I'd have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision."
He's happy with the direction of Justin Fields.
Fields is probably hoping that Poles isn’t blown away at any Pro Days for incoming rookie quarterbacks Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, or Will Levis. The Colts, Raiders, and Texans are hoping the same thing. Bears fans should also be on the same page and pray that Poles trades away the first overall pick. Why? Because this is the Bears’ perfect opportunity to turn their franchise around.
In 2021 the San Francisco 49ers had the 12th overall pick in the draft and traded up with the Miami Dolphins to take the 3rd pick overall. The Dolphins received the 12th pick overall, a third-round pick, and the 49ers’ first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. The 49ers ended up making that massive transaction in order to select quarterback Trey Lance who has been so hampered by injury that it is impossible to declare him a success or a bust at this point.
The Dolphins were able to turn those picks into wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and defensive end Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins absolutely won that trade and it’s not even close. Unless Trey Lance turns into Patrick Mahomes overnight the Dolphins’ general manager Chris Grier is an absolute genius.
The Bears will have the chance to do the exact same thing. The Bears need to recharge their defense which was ranked 32nd overall this season. This draft is full of game-changing defensive players such as defensive tackle Jalen Carter from Georgia, defensive end Will Anderson from Alabama, or defensive end Myles Murphy from Clemson. Two of those three players are in the top 2 positions on draft expert Mel Kiper’s draft board.
The Bears are also in need of offensive weapons. With a multitude of first-round picks, they could still select Carter or Anderson and trade back into the first round to select TCU receiver Quentin Johnson or OSU’S Jaxon Smith-Njiba. Whether or not the Bears use the compensation they receive for trading the first pick overall they have the opportunity to change their team on both sides of the ball.
Is there a risk to making a move such as this? Absolutely. Look at what former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock did in 2019. Mayock had three first-round picks in that draft and selected defensive end Clelin Ferrell, running back Josh Jacobs, and safety Johnathan Abram. None of those three players had their fifth-year option picked up and Abram was released earlier in the 2022 season. Jacobs would be the only success story in that group but Mayock was fired from his position in 2021 at the conclusion of the season.
In this case, the Bears need to take the risk and trade that pick away. Justin Fields needs offensive options beyond Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool. A formidable defense to complement their offensive potential would finally make the Bears competitive. The Bears did not win a single divisional game in the NFC North this season. But if general manager Ryan Poles trades this pick and hits on his draft selections the Monsters of Midway could soon be the Kings of the North.