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10 do-or-die decisions NFL teams must make this offseason

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 24: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on December 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

3. What do the Bears do with the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?

As of right now, it sounds like the Chicago Bears feel comfortable putting their faith and confidence behind Justin Fields at the quarterback position. Given the fact that Fields is coming off of a sophomore season in which we saw a lot of improvement, it makes sense. But it also makes sense for the Bears to keep their options open. They are in a very good situation right now holding the no. 1 pick for the first time in franchise history.

General manager Ryan Poles has a dilemma before him, though. Although it’s a great luxury to have the no. 1 overall pick, he also has to make the right decision at the QB position. Does he stick with Fields, who showed progress but certainly wasn’t perfect? Or does he give himself the chance to fall in love with someone like Bryce Young or CJ Stroud?

This is the do-or-die dilemma for Poles. If he passes on Bryce Young or CJ Stroud (or any of the top QBs in this class) and then one of them ends up being a star, it could come back to haunt him. That is, if his decision to stick with Fields proves to be ill-advised.

A lot of people seem to think this is a no-brainer type of decision for Poles, that he should simply stick with Fields and forsake the 2023 NFL Draft pool. But you don’t get the chance to pick first overall very often. There’s also the point that the Bears are picking first overall for a reason. If you take a QB in that slot, you can reset that rookie deal at the position, you could trade Justin Fields for a decent haul, and Poles could attach his name to a QB he chose. That’s something to keep in mind too — Poles did not pick Justin Fields.

Even if the Bears do move off that no. 1 overall pick, it will be fascinating to see what happens at the QB position. I don’t know if Justin Fields will officially be “out of the woods” until after the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, or at least the top 10 picks.

The Bears could trade the top pick to Houston for a bunch of extra picks, and maybe they take Stroud, Levis, or Richardson in that no. 2 slot. They could do the same moving down to four, five, six, etc.

It’s going to be a fascinating offseason with the Bears and the team is undoubtedly at a fork in the road with Justin Fields.

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