Another week, another loss for the Chicago Bears, who enter their Week 11 bye at a disappointing 5-5 after beginning the season with one of the NFC’s best records (5-1).
The Bears’ string of four-straight losses has pushed them higher in the 2021 NFL draft first-round order. As it currently stands, the Bears hold the 16th overall pick.
The story of Chicago’s 2021 draft will center around quarterback, and there are four prospects who appear destined for first-round status. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson, and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance will have varying degrees of first-round grades, but all four are expected to be top-32 selections.
If the Bears remain at or near the 16th pick when the season comes to an end, their odds of landing one of those four are pretty strong. Lawrence and Fields will be off the board within the first three picks, but Wilson and Lance are far from surefire top-10 guys. Wilson is trending in that direction, however, while some of the appeal around Lance has worn off a bit.
Chicago’s next game comes in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers (7-2), and even the most optimistic Bears fan is likely expecting a loss. If the Bears do, in fact, lose that game, they could quickly jump into the top 13 picks.