In the weeks leading up to the 2023 NFL draft, there was plenty of discussion about the potential of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter falling to the Chicago Bears at No. 9.
Ahead of the first round, it seemed unlikely. Until it happened.
On paper, Carter was a perfect fit in Chicago. A disruptive 3-technique who could be the motor for Matt Eberflus’ defense. But things aren’t as cut and dry as they seem.
With Carter sitting there at ninth overall, the Bears elected to pass on arguably the best prospect in the draft. Carter’s stock fell due to off-field issues and his poor pro day performance. And while Chicago hosted Carter for a Top 30 visit, it doesn’t sound like general manager Ryan Poles was willing to take a chance on Carter.
Instead, the Bears traded back one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles — swapping firsts and landing a 2024 fourth-round pick — who took Carter with that No. 9 selection.
One pick later, Chicago landed Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright, who they had as their top tackle in the draft, with the 10th pick.
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Poles declined to discuss why the Bears passed on Carter, but he did seem to indicate the reasoning behind the decision.
“Character is always going to be important to us,” Poles said Thursday night.
It doesn’t come as a big surprise considering how important character is to Poles and Eberflus. With Chicago being a young, impressionable team, it might not have been the right situation to take a chance on Carter.
Instead, the Bears got their top offensive tackle in Wright and added another player around quarterback Justin Fields.
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