A bright future for the Bears, but tricky decisions remain ahead

As we come towards the end of the 2023 season, it seems that the Chicago Bears have hit a fork in the road after losing another gut-wrenching, must-win game in Cleveland against the Browns. There have been many questions circling around the team all season long about whether or not Justin Fields is the guy for the future. That debate may have now been put to rest… 

This year, Fields has put together a 85.6 passer rating paired with 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s been good at times, but very inconsistent. Despite there has been strong development in his game through the course of the past two years, questions still remain on if he is capable of leading the Bears into the postseason. So far, he’s only been able to win the team nine out of the 28 games he has started in his young career.

Besides just mediocre quarterback play, the play calling and leadership from HC Matt Eberflus and OC Luke Getsy must also be seriously put into question. Poles will have to use the next 3 weeks of the season to evaluate and make the changes necessary for the future of the franchise. 

 There has been early speculation around the fact that Jim Harbuagh could leave Michigan to lead the team he once played for to the promise land. Harbaugh would be able to draft and develop the quarterback of his choosing, and surround him with the coordinators and players needed to succeed. Although there rumors for now, its a story definitely worth keeping an eye on over the coming months.

Currently, the Bears hold the first and fifth pick in this upcoming draft, so passing up on the highly touted Caleb Williams for a guy who’s won 9 games in 3 seasons might not be in GM Ryan Poles’s best interest. Williams, the heisman winner a year before has been compared by some scouts as possessing a very similar playstyle to Patrick Mahomes. The Bears are still having nightmares about not taking Mahomes or Watson over Trubisky, so can they really let the next great propect slip out of their hands this time around?

If they do decide to keep Fields and trade the pick, they will receive the highest compensation we have ever seen for a trade in the league before. Depending on who they trade with and how far back they go, Poles starts the bidding with at least three first round picks plus a premium player. I think we can expect a similar to package in what they got from Carolina but potentially even more draft capital.  

The other question that has to be asked is how much can the Bears net for Justin Fields if they decide to deal him? Depending on he plays the rest of the season, I believe Poles can get a high first or early second rounder from a team that fully believes in their ability to develop Fields into what the Bears could not. Some possible teams to look out for include the Atlanta Falcons or even team like the Pittsburgh Steelers who may want to move on from Kenny Pickett. 

With the luxury of having their own pick which will be anywhere from 5 through 10, they will have the opportunity to add another premium weapon for the passing attack. Outisde of DJ Moore, and upcoming free agent Darnell Mooney, they Bears lack talent at the wide receiver position. 

The 2023 draft class is loaded with wide receiver talent, so don’t be surprised if the Bears spend one of their top picks on a receiver. Will they go after the greatest wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in Marvin Harrsion? Or will they wait out the draft to take a guy like Malik Nabers or Romeo Odunze. It will be also hard for Ryan Poles to ignore how much a guy like Brock Bowers would impact this offense as well, even though he’s a tight end which isn’t one the Bears’s primary needs.

The Bears will also have a chance to add significant fire power in free agency with their 67 million dollars to spend. The bears should look to add more talent on their already established defense, or look to bolster their protection on the O Line. Big names like Chris Jones or Brian Burnes may hit the open market, so it would not be a surprise to see the Bears make a splash.

Big decisions lie ahead for everyone at Hallas Hall, but it all starts with what Ryan Poles can do to set the course for this original franchise that hasn’t won a super bowl since 1986.  It will be interesting to see how he attacks the offseason and the adjustments he makes to get this team back to the promise land.