Bear Necessities: Chicago now controls the 2023 NFL draft

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The Chicago Bears’ 2022 season has come to a merciful end with a 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. But no one cares that Chicago lost their 10th straight game or lost 14 times for the first time in franchise history.

All that matters is the Bears secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

While it was certainly a possibility heading into the season finale, it was far from a guarantee. After all, the Houston Texans are a bad football team. Luckily, they were playing an equally bad football team in the Indianapolis Colts. And thanks to same late-game heroics, notably by former Bears coach Lovie Smith and his decision to go for two and the win, Chicago now controls the 2023 NFL draft.

The Bears aren’t looking for a quarterback in the draft, despite some crazy suggestions that they could look to trade Justin Fields and draft a new, unproven commodity. And that gives Chicago a huge advantage. There will be no shortage of quarterback-needy teams that would give up a king’s ransom to move up and select the quarterback of their choice, be it Bryce Young or CJ Stroud.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles could turn this No. 1 pick into several picks while still landing a top prospect in the draft. There are too many different scenarios to count. Luckily, we’ve got a few months before this all plays out.

Strap in, Bears fans. It’s going to be a fun ride.

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