Category: Latest Bears News

This trade scenario has Bears sending No. 1 pick to Colts for draft haul

One scenario has the Colts trading up with the Bears, and Chicago acquiring the No. 4 pick and additional first- and second-round picks.

The Chicago Bears have a ton of leverage with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Given the Bears have their quarterback in Justin Fields, there will be no shortage of quarterback-needy teams calling general manager Ryan Poles about trading up to the top spot.

The Indy Star shared one scenario where the Indianapolis Colts could trade up with the Bears, where Chicago would acquire a draft haul. The Bears would acquire the Colts’ No. 4 pick along with two, possibly three, additional picks within the first two rounds in 2023 and 2024.

The obvious target for a trade up is Chicago at No. 1 overall since it, theoretically, has its quarterback of the future in Justin Fields. The No. 1 pick is worth 3,000 points. The fourth pick is worth 1,800, which means the Colts would be giving up AT LEAST an additional second-rounder (540) and its 2024 first-rounder (1,158 without the discount, 416 with it). The Colts’ 2024 second-rounder (207) would certainly be in play, too.

It’s likely more than the above deals since the Texans — picking second and with the most picks in the draft — may want to move up as well, giving Chicago more leverage. One possible advantage for the Colts is that former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is coaching the Bears and might take players instead of additional draft capital as Seattle did in the Russell Wilson trade.

When looking at the teams most likely to trade up with the Bears — and the most desirable for Chicago — the Colts are at the top of the list, along with the Houston Texans.

Both teams would look to presumably jump their division rival and get the quarterback of their choosing. Meanwhile, the Bears would still have a top-four pick, where they could trade down again or land a defensive stud in Alabama’s Will Anderson or Georgia’s Jalen Carter.

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30 Bears players set to become free agents in 2023

The Bears have 30 players scheduled to become free agents in 2023.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their 2022 season, which means the focus shifts to what’s shaping up to be a very important offseason for general manager Ryan Poles.

In 2023, the Bears will have 30 free agents, according to Over The Cap. The team already re-signed wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year contract extension ahead of Sunday’s finale.

The Bears are slated to have north of $100 million in salary cap space for Poles to work with, where he’ll look to bring in new faces and potentially re-sign some in-house free agents.

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the open market in free agency:

Bears’ projected 2023 salary cap space heading into offseason

The Bears are projected to have the most salary cap space in 2023 (and it’s not even close).

The Chicago Bears wrapped their 2022 season with a 3-14 record, a 10-game losing streak and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

There’s plenty of excitement (and change) coming to this Bears roster in 2023, and general manager Ryan Poles will have eight draft picks (including the top selection) and north of $100 million in salary cap space to build around quarterback Justin Fields, who’s emerged as one of the NFL’s most exciting young QBs.

Chicago is slated to have the most salary cap space in 2023, and it’s not even close. According to Over The Cap, the Bears will have $118 million in cap space for 2023. The next closest is the Atlanta Falcons at $69.8 million.

Poles has all of the resources he needs to help retool this roster to have them contending for the postseason in 2023. Not only do they have the upper hand in free agency, they control the NFL draft with the first overall pick, where teams will be looking to trade up and land a top quarterback prospect.

Safe to say, it’s going to be a busy (and exciting) offseason.

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Bears players know there’s plenty of roster turnover on the way

As Bears players packed their things Monday at Halas Hall, there was one overwhelming sentiment: They know change is coming.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped the 2022 season, which culminated in a 3-14 record and a 10-game losing streak.

As players gathered Monday to pack their things in the locker room at Halas Hall, there was one overwhelming sentiment: They know change is coming.

“There’s going to be a lot of roster turnover and rollover,” center Sam Mustipher said, via the Sun-Times.

That’s been evident since last offseason when general manager Ryan Poles tore down the roster, which included getting rid of expensive contracts (where the dead cap piled up) and signing one-year, prove-it deals ahead of an offseason where the Bears will have north of $100 million in salary cap space.

Oh, not to mention, Chicago has the No. 1 overall draft pick, which gives them a ton of leverage. With the consensus being Poles will trade back from first overall, it could add to the already eight draft picks for 2023.

There was a bit of uncertainty from right guard Teven Jenkins when looking to the future in 2023.

“I mean, we have a lot of cap space and a lot of opportunities in this draft, so I really don’t know how it’s going to go,” Jenkins said. “I don’t ever want to be the person to say, ‘Yeah, I have a spot.’ I don’t want to do that because I always want to stay hungry and feel like I still have to chase my job even if I have it secure.”

The Bears had arguably the worst roster in the NFL this season, but they do have some pieces in place. That starts with quarterback Justin Fields and includes receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, tight end Cole Kmet, safeties Eddie Jackson and rookie Jaquan Brisker, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and rookie Kyler Gordon, as well as rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn.

But there are more on the way.

“We’re gonna get some good guys in here, man,” defensive lineman Justin Jones said. “We’re gonna do it crazy. We have a lot of good talent here already — and we’ve got a lot of good talent we’re gonna build on.”

If there’s one player who’s safe this offseason, it’s quarterback Justin Fields.

“My job is strictly to get better, work on my skills at quarterback and ultimately get my teammates better,” Fields said. “So of course I’m going to pay attention to who we get and stuff like that, but to be honest, I’m just focused on me right now. And everybody else that’s on the team. And just getting better with those guys.”

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Bears sign 7 players to 2023 reserve/futures contracts

The Bears announced they’ve signed seven players to reserve/futures contracts in 2023.

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their 2022 season, which culminated in a 3-14 record and 10-game losing streak.

But there’s still plenty of optimism looking ahead to the 2023 offseason, where GM Ryan Poles will have north of $100 million in salary cap space and the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Bears signed seven players that finished the season on their practice squad to reserve/future contracts on Monday. Five of seven players Chicago signed appeared in at least one regular season game in 2022.

Here’s a look at the Bears who were signed:

Cardinals request to interview Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham for GM vacancy

Bears assistant Ian Cunningham is in high demand for GM vacancies. Now, the Cardinals have put in an interview request.

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham is in high demand this offseason. The rising young executive is expected to have an opportunity to serve as a franchise’s general manager in 2023.

Cunningham already received an interview request for the GM vacancy with the Titans. Now, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the Cardinals have requested to interview Cunningham for their open GM job.

Arizona GM Steve Keim stepped down on Monday to “focus on his health.”

Keim, who’s served as the Cardinals’ GM since 2013, took an indefinite leave of absence on Dec. 14, also due to health concerns.

Cunningham joined the Bears last offseason, where he’s worked closely with general manager Ryan Poles. A new position — assistant GM — was created just for Cunningham, and he’s played a huge role in team moves this year.

Before Cunningham joined the Bears, he spent four years in Philadelphia, where he served a number of roles with the Eagles. He started as director of college scouting (2017), moved up to assistant director of player personnel (2019) and finally was promoted to director of player personnel (2021).

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David Montgomery hugs Justin Fields before leaving Bears facility for offseason

Bears RB David Montgomery, set to hit free agency, made sure to stop and give Justin Fields a hug before heading out for the offseason.

The Chicago Bears cleaned out their lockers at Halas Hall on Monday following the conclusion of the 2022 season. For many, it’ll be the last time they’re in the facility as there’s plenty of roster turnover expected this offseason.

You have to wonder if running back David Montgomery is among them. Montgomery, who’s been a reliable offensive weapon since his rookie season, is set to hit free agency in March. While there’s certainly the possibility the Bears bring him back on an affordable deal, no one will blame him from exploring the free agent market.

Before Sunday’s finale against the Minnesota Vikings, Montgomery shared a post on Instagram that read, “LAST RIDE 32 !!!!” He was also spotted taking photos at Soldier Field following the game.

Then, during Monday’s open locker room session, Montgomery crashed Justin Fields’ interview with reporters to give his QB1 a hug before departing for the offseason.

Depending on how you read into it, it could be Montgomery bidding farewell to Chicago. But it could also be indicative of the final game of the year. Although, in actuality, it’s probably indicating he’s unsure of his future.

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Updated look at Bears’ 2023 draft picks after Week 18

With the 2022 regular season in the books, most of the Bears’ 2023 NFL draft picks are set.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their 2022 season, which culminated with a 3-14 record and a 10-game losing streak.

But the end of 2022 marks the beginning of what’s gearing up to be a potential franchise-altering offseason. Not only is general manager Ryan Poles protected to have around $118 million in salary cap space, but the Bears are also in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

And given Chicago isn’t in need of a quarterback, the Bears hold a lot of leverage with the selection given the quarterback-needy teams that could look to move up to the top spot.

Chicago currently has eight draft selections in the 2023 NFL draft. Here’s a look at the those picks, where all are final except the ones they acquired from the Ravens and Eagles (with both in the postseason).

  • Round 1, No. 1 overall
  • Round 2, No. 56 overall (from Ravens)
  • Round 3, No. 65 overall
  • Round 4, No. 103 overall
  • Round 4, No. 134 overall (from Eagles)
  • Round 5, No. 136 overall
  • Round 5, No. 148/159 overall (from Ravens)*
  • Round 7, No. 220 overall

It’s reasonable to assume this list will grow closer to the draft, as Poles has already shown he’s no stranger to trading back and acquiring additional capital. And with no shortage of roster holes, the Bears can use all of the draft picks they can get. Lucky for them, that No. 1 overall pick gives them the upper hand.

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*Unconfirmed whether the Ravens’ fifth-round pick is their own (159) or the one from the Patriots (148).

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9 teams that could be calling Bears about No. 1 pick in NFL draft

The Bears should be fielding calls for the No. 1 pick. Here are some QB-needy teams who could be calling GM Ryan Poles about trading up.

The Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, which means they essentially control the draft.

Typically, teams sitting at No. 1 are in search of a quarterback and choose to remain put. But the Bears aren’t in the market for a quarterback after finding their guy in Justin Fields. Which means they stand to gain substantial compensation from a quarterback-needy team(s) looking to trade up and get a top prospect like Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s CJ Stroud.

GM Ryan Poles could even trade back multiple times and still land a top prospect on top of a treasure trove of draft picks.

Here’s a look at some teams who could be looking to trade up with the Bears for that No. 1 pick:

2023 NFL draft: First-round order for non-playoff teams is set

Here’s a look at the updated 2023 NFL draft order following Week 18, where the first 18 picks are finalized.

The 2022 NFL regular season is in the books, which featured a thrilling slate of action ahead of the postseason. Following Week 18, the 2023 NFL draft order for non-playoff teams has officially been set.

Bears fans have plenty to celebrate after landing the No. 1 overall pick, thanks to some help from the Texans, who defeated the Colts and lost out on the top selection. Chicago certainly holds the cards in the draft, as there will no shortage of quarterback-needy teams looking to trade up to the top spot.

Here’s a look at the current draft order, after Week 18, courtesy of the folks at Tankathon:

NOTE: We’ve included the current draft order for teams currently in the postseason. Only the first 18 selections are finalized.