CHICAGO — The Bears earned the No. 1 general decide within the 2023 draft after an 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings within the season finale.
Chicago, which held the No. 2 decide getting into Week 18, jumped Houston within the draft order after the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 32-31. The Bears wanted to lose and have the Texans win to be able to safe the highest spot within the draft.
The Bears completed 3-14, their second three-win season since 2016. Quarterback Justin Fields didn't play within the season finale on account of a hip harm sustained final week at Detroit. Fields completed his second season 64 yards shy of the single-season quarterback speeding document. Chicago owned the league's high speeding offense and have been final in passing in 2023.
Bolstering the defensive and offensive strains are amongst Chicago's high priorities this offseason. The Bears registered the fewest sacks per sport (1.3) of all NFL groups and pressured opposing quarterbacks on 20.9% of dropbacks, which ranked thirty first. In his newest mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid has Georgia defensive sort out Jalen Carter going No. 2 to Chicago, Alabama outdoors linebacker Will Anderson being chosen third by Seattle and Texas Tech defensive finish Tyree Wilson off the board at No. 4 to Arizona. All three gamers could possibly be choices to assist repair Chicago's move rush.
The Bears even have urgent wants at wideout. Darnell Mooney, who sustained a season-ending harm in Week 11, completed as Chicago's main receiver with 493 yards and two touchdowns. Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Chase Claypool and Velus Jones Jr. are the one Bears receivers presently beneath contract for the 2023 season. St. Brown signed a one-year extension with Chicago final week.
The Bears discover themselves in a high-leverage place ought to they resolve to commerce again from the No. 1 general decide. Chicago isn't presently among the many quarterback-needy groups drafting early within the first spherical, which embody Houston, Indianapolis, the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. Alabama's Bryce Younger, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Kentucky's Will Levis and Florida's Anthony Richardson are all off the board in Reid's newest mock by the ninth general decide.
Chicago has drafted first general twice in franchise historical past, but it surely hasn't occurred because the Forties.
In 1940, the Bears chosen Michigan halfback and Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon No. 1 general. Harmon by no means performed for the Bears. After serving within the navy throughout World Struggle II, Harmon performed two seasons for the Rams (1946-47).
Chicago additionally had the No. 1 general choice in 1947 and drafted halfback Bob Fenimore from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State). Fenimore performed one NFL season and appeared in 10 video games for the Bears in 1947.
The NFL has a number of latest examples of groups falling out of the No.1 draft spot with wins within the season finale.
Getting into the final week of the 2021 season, the Jaguars have been 2-14 and the Lions have been 2-13-1. Each groups gained their Week 18 video games, which led to Jacksonville incomes the No. 1 decide and the Lions securing the second general decide. In 2006, the Lions beat the Cowboys within the finale and fell to No. 2 within the draft, whereas the Raiders bought the No. 1 decide. Oakland took JaMarcus Russell with the primary decide, and Lions took Calvin Johnson. In 2003, the Chargers and Cardinals each entered Week 17 with 3-12 data and each walked away with wins. The Chargers nonetheless bought the No. 1 decide and took Eli Manning earlier than swapping him for Philip Rivers on draft day. The Cardinals would've gotten the No. 1 decide with a loss however fell to No. 3.
