Bears’ loss to Falcons moves them into top-3 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft

Nothing good will come from the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons if QB Justin Fields’ left shoulder is seriously injured. The second-year passer appeared to injure his shoulder when he fell awkwardly out of bounds during the Bears’ final possession. He finished the game, but he didn’t look good… at all.

The Bears didn’t provide an immediate update on Fields’ health after the game. Fields didn’t guarantee he’d play in Week 12, either. At this point, it’s a wait-and-see, day-by-day situation.

Chicago’s loss drops them to 3-8 on the season, and even though their record is among the NFL’s worst right now, the Bears’ future certainly feels bright. Fields’ development is the main reason why, which is also why it’s critical that his development not be hamstrung by injury.

The good news for the Bears, assuming Fields will be OK, is that Week 11’s loss moved them higher in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Chicago now holds the No. 3 overall pick, which has them in a realistic range to land one of next year’s elite defenders in Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia’s Jalen Carter. Both players would be massive upgrades for a Bears defense that’s suddenly a glaring weakness.

Hopefully, Fields checks out OK. If he does, the Chicago Bears can find solace in their 2023 NFL draft position after a disappointing loss in Week 11.