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.
- Bears secure No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL draft in dramatic fashion
- Bears’ 2023 opponents officially set
- Bears hold No. 1 pick in NFL draft: Here’s the last time it was traded
- Twitter erupts over the Bears getting the No. 1 overall draft pick
- 2023 NFL draft: Every player taken with 1st overall pick in the last 10 years
- Studs and duds from Bears’ Week 18 loss vs. Vikings
- Bears vs. Vikings: Everything we know about Chicago’s Week 18 loss
- Instant analysis of Bears’ 29-13 loss vs. Vikings in Week 18
- Packers season ends with 20-16 loss to Lions at Lambeau Field. READ MORE ON PACKERS WIRE.
- Vikings vs. Giants set for 2022 NFC wild card round. READ MORE ON VIKINGS WIRE.
- Lions set the NFL record for sacks by a rookie class. READ MORE ON LIONS WIRE.
